REMINISCENCES  OF 
A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE 


MRS.  JOHN  A.  LOGAN 


REMINISCENCES  OF  A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE 
AN  AUTOBIOGRAPHY 


REMINISCENCES 
OF  A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE 

AN   AUTOBIOGRAPHY 


BY 

MRS.  JOHN  A.  LOGAN 


ILLUSTRATED 


CHARLES   SCRIBNER'S   SONS 
NEW  YORK  ::  ::  ::  ::  ::  ::  1913 


COPYRIGHT,  1013,  BY 
CHARLES   SCRIBNER'S  SONS 


Published  October, 


DEDICATED 
WITH    UNDYING    LOVE 

TO  MY 
CHILDREN   AND   GRANDCHILDREN 


PREFACE 

To  tell  my  own  story  is  to  tell  that  of  my  famous  husband, 
General  John  A.  Logan.  Our  marriage  was  a  real  partner 
ship  for  thirty-one  happy  years.  I  shared  his  thoughts  and 
plans  no  less  when  he  was  a  senator  than  when  he  was  a  pros 
ecuting  attorney  in  southern  Illinois.  We  were  working  in 
the  harmony  of  a  common  purpose,  whether  I  was  in  the 
kitchen  improvising  a  meal  for  his  friends  when  he  was  run 
ning  for  the  legislature,  or  entertaining  in  Washington  after 
his  fame  was  secure  and  his  influence  nation-wide.  With 
him  I  witnessed  the  stirring  events  in  which  he  was  a  leader 
on  the  borderland  of  the  Confederacy,  where  he  raised  his 
Union  regiment.  We  were  together  whenever  possible  dur 
ing  the  war.  I  travelled  with  him  on  his  political  campaigns 
after  the  war.  Thus  I  came  to  know  not  only  the  eminent 
soldiers  and  public  men  of  his  time,  but  the  men  in  the  ranks 
who  believed  in  him  and  followed  him,  whether  to  Vicksburg 
and  Atlanta  or  in  his  political  battles. 

Our  tastes  were  the  same;  likewise  our  ambitions  for  the 
best  attainments  in  life.  We  came  of  the  same  pioneering 
American  stock.  We  were  reared  among  the  same  surround 
ings  of  the  Middle  West  when  it  was  the  frontier.  After  his 
death,  my  naturally  active  temperament  and  the  inspiration 

of  his  career  kept  me  in  touch  with  the  pulse  of  national  af- 

vii 


viii  PREFACE 

fairs  and  brought  me  fresh  acquaintances  among  new  celeb 
rities.  When  I  think  of  the  conditions  which  prevailed  in 
my  girlhood  days  in  comparison  with  those  of  the  present, 
I  marvel  how  the  span  of  one  person's  life  can  compass  such 
changes. 

MARY  S.  LOGAN. 


CONTENTS 


CHAPTER  I 

PAGE 

EARLY  LIFE  IN  SOUTHERN  ILLINOIS  —  SOUTHERNERS  THE  MAJOR 
ITY  AMONG  THE  SETTLERS  —  ABSENCE  OF  FREE  SCHOOLS  — 
POPULATION  MAINLY  AGRICULTURAL  —  WOMAN'S  WORK  ON  THE 
FARM  —  PASTIMES  AND  HOLIDAYS  —  QUILTING-PARTIES,  CORN- 
HUSKINGS  AND  APPLE-PARINGS  —  "TRAINING  DAY"  —  FOURTH 
OF  JULY  AND  CHRISTMAS  —  CHURCHES  INFREQUENT  —  PRO 
TRACTED  MEETINGS  AND  REVIVALS  —  PROMINENT  PREACHERS 

—  DOCTOR  BASCOM,  THE  FRIEND  OF  CLAY  —  PULPIT  DEBATES  — 
ORGANIZATION     OF     THE     CAMPBELLITE     CHURCH  —  TEACHERS 
FROM  MASSACHUSETTS  —  PROGRESS   IN   EDUCATION   SINCE  PIO 
NEER  DAYS  —  WIDE-SPREAD   IGNORANCE 3 

CHAPTER  II 

THE  WAR  WITH  MEXICO  —  MY  FATHER  ENLISTS  FOR  THE  WAR  — 
ELECTED  CAPTAIN  OF  HIS  COMPANY  —  ENCOUNTERS  YOUNG 
LIEUTENANT  JOHN  A.  LOGAN  —  AN  INTIMACY  FORMED  AT  ONCE 

—  CROSSING    THE    GREAT    AMERICAN    DESERT  —  TOO   LATE    FOR 

THE  WAR  —  FATHER'S  THREE  YEARS  IN  CALIFORNIA  —  i  AM 
SENT  TO  BOARDING-SCHOOL  IN  KENTUCKY  —  THE  SISTERS  AND 
THE  SLAVES  —  GIRLISH  ESCAPADES  —  VACATION  EMPLOYMENTS 

—  GRADUATION  —  MARRIAGE    AT    SEVENTEEN    TO    PROSECU 
TING   ATTORNEY   LOGAN,    TWELVE    YEARS   MY   SENIOR  —  THE 
WEDDING  —  REMOVAL  TO  BENTON  —  EARLY  HOUSEKEEPING  — 
"FAIR  WEEK"  —  EXPERT  EQUESTRIENNES  —  BIRTH  OF  MY  TWO 
ELDEST  CHILDREN  AND  DEATH  OF  MY  FIRST-BORN 26 

CHAPTER  III 

>HYSBORO  —  AIDI 

LEGAL  ROUTINE  —  EMINENT  PRACTITIONERS  —  BELLIGERENCE 
OF  LITIGANTS  —  CHARACTERISTIC  CASES  —  PRESIDENTIAL  CAM 
PAIGN  OF  1856  —  JOINT  DISCUSSIONS  —  DEMOCRATIC  PARTY 
LARGELY  IN  THE  MAJORITY  —  DOUGLAS  AND  POPULAR  SOVER 
EIGNTY  —  THE  LINCOLN-DOUGLAS  CAMPAIGN  OF  1858  —  MY 
HUSBAND  ELECTED  TO  THE  LEGISLATURE  —  MRS.  DOUGLAS  — 
LINCOLN  AS  SEEN  BY  AN  OPPONENT  —  DOUGLAS'S  STRONG 

ix 


x  CONTENTS 

PAGE 

SPEECH  AT  CLINTON  —  LINCOLN'S  ILLNESS  —  MR.  LOGAN'S 
POLITICAL  VIEWS  MODIFIED  BY  LINCOLN'S  LOGIC  —  A  REPUB 
LICAN  AFTER  SUMTER  50 

CHAPTER  IV 

MR.    LOGAN   ELECTED   TO   THE   THIRTY-SEVENTH   CONGRESS  —  THE 
JOURNEY     TO     WASHINGTON  —  RAILWAY     TRAVEL     IN     1859  — 
INSTALLED  AT  BROWN'S  HOTEL  —  THE  CAPITAL  DOMINATED  BY 

SLAVEHOLDERS  —  A  CAB    ADVENTURE PRESIDENT   BUCHANAN 

AND  MISS  LANE  AT  THE  WHITE  HOUSE  —  RECEPTION  AT  SENA 
TOR  DOUGLAS'S  —  RE-ELECTION  OF  DOUGLAS  TO  THE  SENATE  — 

HIS  LOYALTY  TO  LINCOLN  —  ARRIVAL  OF  LINCOLN  IN  WASHING 
TON  —  THE  INAUGURATION  —  THE  CRISIS  AND  CURRENT  CON 
DITIONS  —  OUR  FIRST  STATE  DINNER  —  GENERAL  SOCIAL  FES 
TIVITIES  ON  THE  VERGE  OF  WAR  —  THE  THEATRES  —  FIRING  N 
ON  SUMTER  —  PUBLIC  OPINION  AT  HOME  —  LOGAN'S  STAND  FOR 
THE  UNION  —  HIS  SPEECH  AT  MARION  —  ENLISTS  "FOR  THE 
WAR"  AND  RAISES  A  REGIMENT 70 

CHAPTER  V 

CAIRO,  ILLINOIS,  IN  1 86 1  —  THE  IMPORTANT  STRATEGIC  POINT  IN 

THE  WEST  —  "KING  COTTON"  —THE  RIVER  STEAMERS  —  A 
FORLORN  RENDEZVOUS  —  DISCOMFORTS  AND  HARDSHIPS  —  RAW 
RECRUITS  THE  GENERAL  RULE  —  DEPARTURES  FOR  THE  FRONT 
—  PATHETIC  SCENES  —  SOLJS  LETTER  FROM  HOME  —  A  SECOND 

ARMY  COMPOSED  OF  VISITORS  —  SICKNESS  IN  THE  CAMP  —  A 
JOURNEY  NORTH  FOR  SUPPLIES  PROVES  A  GREAT  SUCCESS  — 
LOGAN  PERSUADES  THREE  MONTHS'  MEN  TO  RE-ENLIST  —  ''FOR 
WARD,  MARCH!"  AT  LAST  —  ONLY  A  FORAGING  EXPEDITION  — 

THE  BATTLE  OF  BELMONT  —  ARRIVAL  OF  THE  DEAD  AND 
WOUNDED  AT  CAIRO  —  HOSPITAL  SCENES  —  GENERAL  GRANT 
IN  COMMAND  IOI 

CHAPTER  VI 

MORE  TROOPS  AT  CAIRO  —  EXPEDITION  UP  THE  TENNESSEE  AND 
THE  CUMBERLAND  —  ARRIVAL  OF  TRANSPORTS  —  FALL  OF  FORT 
HENRY  —  SIEGE  AND  CAPTURE  OF  FORT  DONELSON  —  COLONEL 
LOGAN  SEVERELY  WOUNDED  —  I  SUCCEED  IN  GETTING  TO  THE 
FRONT  —  FIND  MY  HUSBAND  AT  GRANT'S  HEADQUARTERS  — 
THE  BATTLE-FIELD'S  TRAGIC  STORY  —  WE  REACH  HOME  — 
LOGAN  REJOINS  HIS  COMMAND  AS  BRIGADIER-GENERAL  —  SHI- 
LOH  —  LOGAN'S  ADVICE  FATALLY  REJECTED  BY  HALLECK  — 

JOIN  MY  HUSBAND  AT  MEMPHIS GENERAL    McPHERSON  — 

ILLNESS  OF  GENERAL  LOGAN  —  INVESTMENT  OF  VICKSBURG  — 
LOGAN'S  CHARGE  —  BLOWING  UP  FORT  HILL  —  FIRST  IN  THE 
CAPTURED  CITY  —  POLITICAL  CAMPAIGN  OF  1863  —  CONTRA- 


CONTENTS  xi 

PAGE 

BANDS  IN  ILLINOIS  —  I  BEFRIEND  ONE  AND  CIRCUMVENT  THE 
"GOLDEN  CIRCLE"  —  FURLOUGHS  AFTER  THE  FALL  OF  VICKS- 
BURG  —  POLITICAL  CAMPAIGN  —  ATLANTA  —  DEATH  OF  Mc- 
PHERSON  —  EXPLANATION  OF  GENERAL  LOGAN'S  FAILURE  TO 
RETAIN  COMMAND  OF  THE  ARMY  OF  THE  TENNESSEE  —  RECON 
CILIATION  BETWEEN  SHERMAN  AND  LOGAN 121 

CHAPTER  VII 

BATTLES  OF  RESACA  AND  DALLAS  —  GENERAL  LOGAN  WOUNDED 
AGAIN  —  KENESAW  MOUNTAIN  —  DEATH  OF  McPHERSON  — 
LOGAN  IN  COMMAND  —  WINS  THE  BATTLE  OF  ATLANTA  — 
PASSED  OVER  BY  SHERMAN  FOR  CONTINUANCE  IN  COMMAND  OF 
ARMY  OF  THE  TENNESSEE  —  GENERAL  HOWARD  SUCCEEDS  — 
SUBSEQUENT  RECONCILIATION  OF  SHERMAN  AND  LOGAN  —  THE 
CORKHILL  BANQUET  —  POLITICAL  CAMPAIGN  OF  1864  —  LOGAN 
TAKES  THE  STUMP  AT  LINCOLN'S  REQUEST  —  HIS  POWERFUL 
INFLUENCE  —  RE-ELECTION  OF  LINCOLN  —  ORDERED  TO  RE 
PORT  TO  GRANT  AT  CITY  POINT 154 

CHAPTER  VIII 

CHRISTMAS  AT  CARBONDALE  —  GENERAL  LOGAN  ORDERED  TO  RE 
LIEVE  THOMAS  —  BATTLE  OF  NASHVILLE  —  LOGAN  MAGNAN 
IMOUSLY  RETURNS  TO  HIS  CORPS  —  THE  MARCH  THROUGH  THE 
CAROLINAS  —  GOLDSBORO  AND  BENTONVILLE  —  FALL  OF  PE- 
TERSBURP  AND  RICHMOND  —  ASSASSINATION  OF  LINCOLN  — 
LEE'S  SURRENDER  —  LOGAN  REINSTATED  IN  COMMAND  OF  ARMY 
OF  THE  TENNESSEE  —  GRAND  REVIEW  OF  THE  UNION  ARMY 
AT  WASHINGTON  —  RETURN  HOME  OF  THE  VOLUNTEERS  —  BIRTH 
OF  JOHN  A.  LOGAN,  JR. —  RESIGNATION  OF  GENERAL  LOGAN  — 
ELECTED  CONGRESSMAN-AT-LARGE  —  A  RETROSPECTIVE  GLANCE 
OVER  THE  EARLY  SIXTIES  —  DEATH  OF  MY  MOTHER  ....  183 

CHAPTER  IX 

ORGANIZATION  OF  THE  GRAND  ARMY  OF  THE  REPUBLIC  —  HISTORY 
OF  THE  MOVEMENT  —  DECLARATION  OF  PRINCIPLES  —  GENERAL 
LOGAN  ELECTED  COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF  —  SUBSIDIARY  SOCIE 
TIES  —  DISAFFECTION  OF  PRESIDENT  JOHNSON  —  TRANSFER  OF 
BOOTH'S  REMAINS  TO  BALTIMORE  —  JOHNSON'S  ATTEMPT  TO 
REMOVE  STANTON  —  IMPEACHMENT  OF  THE  PRESIDENT  — 
LOGAN  ONE  OF  THE  HOUSE  MANAGERS  —  SOCIAL  WASHINGTON 
DURING  THE  WINTER,  1867-8  —  DICKENS'S  READINGS  —  RE 
CEPTION  AT  THE  GRANTS*  —  ELECTION  OF  PRESIDENT  GRANT  — 
COUNTING  THE  ELECTORAL  VOTE  —  COLFAX  AND  SENATOR 
WADE  —  THE  WINTER  OF  1868-9  —  STATE  DINNERS  AT  THE 
WHITE  HOUSE  —  ORIGIN  OF  DECORATION  DAY  DUE  TO  GENERAL 
LOGAN 214 


xii  CONTENTS 

CHAPTER  X 

PAGE 

INAUGURATION  OF  GRANT  —  THE  RECEPTION  AND  INAUGURAL  BALL 
—  CHOICE  OF  THE  CABINET  —  THE  CUBAN  QUESTION  —  CLAMOR 
AGAINST  THE  MILITARY  ELEMENT  —  ELAINE  ELECTED  SPEAKER 
—  INSTANCE  OF  HIS  MARVELLOUS  MEMORY  AND  QUICKNESS  — 
GENERAL  LEE  AT  THE  WHITE  HOUSE  —  APPOINTMENT  TO  OF 
FICE  OF  LONGSTREET,  MOSBY,  AND  OTHER  CONFEDERATES  — 
REFURNISHING  THE  WHITE  HOUSE  —  INTIMACY  BETWEEN 
LOGAN  AND  GRANT  —  THE  RECONSTRUCTION  PROBLEM  —  PUB 
LIC  SCANDALS  —  ENORMOUS  CORRESPONDENCE  OF  GENERAL 
LOGAN  —  SENATOR  CHRISTIANCY's  MARRIAGE  —  CABINET  MEM 
BERS  AND  THEIR  WIVES 247 

CHAPTER  XI 

MOOTED  REMOVAL  OF  THE  CAPITAL  TO  SAINT  LOUIS  —  IMPROVE 
MENT  OF  WASHINGTON  A  RESULT  OF  THIS  MOVEMENT  —  RE 
DUCING  THE  ARMY  TO  A  PEACE  BASIS  —  SHERMAN'S  HOSTILITY 

TO  LOGAN'S  MEASURE  —  A  CONGRESSIONAL  SCANDAL  —  LOGAN 

CHECKMATES  BUTLER  —  DEATH  OF  GENERAL  THOMAS  —  HON 
ORS  TO  THE  MEMORY  OF  GENERAL  RAWLINS  —  GENERAL  LOGAN'S 
VICTORIOUS  CAMPAIGN  FOR  THE  SENATORSHIP  AND  MY  SHARE 
IN  IT  —  REMOVAL  TO  CHICAGO  —  THE  GREAT  FIRE  —  CHAIR 
MAN  OF  THE  SENATE  MILITARY  COMMITTEE  —  THE  ABBOTT- 
RANSOM  CASE  —  WHITE  HOUSE  NEW  YEAR'S  RECEPTION,  1872 

—  SUBSEQUENT  SOCIAL  FESTIVITIES  —  DEATH  OF  MRS.  BELKNAP 
AND   OF  OUR  ADOPTED   DAUGHTER   KATE   LOGAN 276 

CHAPTER  XII 

PARTY  OPPOSITION  TO  THE  PRESIDENT'S  RENOMINATION  IN  1872  — 
LOGAN'S  SERVICES  TO  GRANT  IN  CONGRESS  —  HOSTILITY  OF 
SUMNER  AND  SCHURZ  —  THE  CREDIT  MOBILIER  SCANDAL  — 
ENTERTAINMENT  OF  THE  JAPANESE  EMBASSY  —  REPUBLICAN 
CONVENTION  AT  PHILADELPHIA  —  GRANT  AND  WILSON  NOM 
INATED  —  ILLNESS  OF  MY  FATHER  —  JOURNEY  TO  UTAH  — 
BISHOP  DUSENBERRY  OF  THE  MORMON  CHURCH  —  THE  '72 
CAMPAIGN  —  THE  LIBERAL  REPUBLICAN  CONVENTION  —  NOMI 
NATION  OF  HORACE  GREELEY  —  MR.  GREELEY's  BEREAVEMENT, 
DEFEAT,  ILLNESS,  AND  DEATH  —  GRANT'S  SECOND  INAUGURA 
TION —  THE  NEW  CABINET  —  DEATH  OF  MY  FATHER  ....  304 

CHAPTER  XIII 

PROSPERITY  IN  COLORADO  —  THE  "MORNING  STAR"  MINE  AND  ITS 
FINALE  —  GENERAL  LOGAN  FROZEN  OUT  —  THE  CHICAGO 
STRIKES  OF  1873  —  OPENING  OF  THE  "GRAND  PACIFIC"  HOTEL 

—  MY  NEW  YEAR'S  RECEPTION  —  OUR  NEIGHBORS,  THE  JONESES, 
LEITERS,    MEEKERS,    BROSSES,    STONES,    MARSHALL    FIELDS, 


CONTENTS  xiii 

PAGE 

PULLMANS,  AND  OTHERS  —  THE  VIRGINIUS  MASSACRE  —  THE 
DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA  REORGANIZED  —  THE  FREEDMEN'S 
BUREAU  INVESTIGATION  —  LEADERS  OF  THE  SENATE,  ANTHONY, 
CONKLING,  HAMLIN,  CARPENTER,  MORTON,  CAMERON,  SHERMAN, 
THURMAN,  GORDON,  ALLISON,  AND  OTHERS  —  NELLIE  GRANT'S 
ELABORATE  WEDDING  AT  THE  WHITE  HOUSE  —  WEDDING  OF 
COLONEL  FREDERICK  D.  GRANT  IN  CHICAGO 327 

CHAPTER  XIV 

KING  KALAKAUA  IN  WASHINGTON  —  THE  CENTENNIAL  EXPOSITION 
AT  PHILADELPHIA  —  PUBLICATION  OF  GENERAL  SHERMAN'S 

"MEMOIRS" — HIS  CRITICISMS  OF  LOGAN  AND  BLAIR  —  NEW 
YEAR'S  RECEPTION  AT  THE  WHITE  HOUSE  —  THE  WHISKEY- 
RING  SCANDALS  —  REPUBLICAN  CONVENTION  OF  1876  AT  CIN 
CINNATI  —  ELAINE'S  DEFEAT  AND  NOMINATION  OF  HAYES  AND 

WHEELER  —  THE  GRANGER  MOVEMENT  DEFEATS  GENERAL 
LOGAN  FOR  SENATOR  —  JUDGE  DAVID  DAVIS  —  THE  ELECTORAL 
COMMISSION  —  MARRIAGE  OF  OUR  DAUGHTER  —  MRS.  RUTHER 
FORD  B.  HAYES,  HER  ADMIRABLE  CHARACTER  AND  MANAGE 
MENT  AS  MISTRESS  OF  THE  WHITE  HOUSE  —  REV.  DR.  J.  P.  NEW 
MAN  349 

CHAPTER  XV 

GENERAL  LOGAN  RETURNED  TO  THE  SENATE  —  STRIKING  VICTORY 
AFTER  EXCITING  CAMPAIGN  —  RECEPTION  GIVEN  TO  US  BY  THE 
LEGISLATURE  AND  CITIZENS  OF  SPRINGFIELD  —  MEMBERSHIP  OF 
THE  SENATE  IN  1879  —  THE  PRESIDENTIAL  CAMPAIGN  —  NU 
MEROUS  CANDIDATES  —  ATTACK  OF  LOWE,  OF  ALABAMA,  ON 
GENERAL  LOGAN  —  HIS  SUBSEQUENT  APOLOGY  —  RETURN  OF 
GENERAL  GRANT  FROM  HIS  WORLD-TOUR  —  RECEPTIONS  AT 
GALENA  AND  CHICAGO  —  BANQUET  OF  THE  ARMY  OF  THE  TEN 
NESSEE  —  GRANT  A  CANDIDATE  FOR  PRESIDENT  —  OPPOSITION 
OF  ELAINE  AND  OTHERS  —  THE  FITZ-JOHN  PORTER  CASE  AND 
GENERAL  LOGAN'S  PART  IN  IT  —  THE  ILLINOIS  CONVENTION  OF 
l88o  CONTROLLED  BY  LOGAN  —  GARFIELD's  NOMINATION  AT 
CHICAGO  —  GENERAL  LOGAN'S  LOYAL  WORK  IN  THE  FOLLOWING 
CAMPAIGN 371 

CHAPTER  XVI 

INAUGURATION  OF  GENERAL  GARFIELD  —  RUPTURE  BETWEEN  THE 
ADMINISTRATION  AND  SENATOR  CONKLING  —  ASSASSINATION 
OF  THE  PRESIDENT  —  ADMIRABLE  CHARACTER  OF  PRESIDENT 
ARTHUR'S  ENTERTAINMENTS  —  VISIT  OF  FRENCH  AND  GERMAN 
OFFICERS  —  GARFIELD  MEMORIAL  MEETING  OF  CONGRESS  — 
CAMPAIGN  OF  1884  —  NOMINATION  OF  ELAINE  AND  LOGAN  — 
ACTIVITY  OF  GENERAL  LOGAN  ON  THE  STUMP  —  HIS  RETURN  TO 


xiv  CONTENTS 

PAGE 

THE  SENATE  —  ENTHUSIASTIC  RECEPTION  AT  SAN  FRANCISCO  — 
DEATH  OF  GENERAL  LOGAN,  DECEMBER  26,  1 886  —  FUNERAL 
HONORS  PAID  TO  HIM  —  MARRIAGE  OF  OUR  SON  —  I  GO  TO 
EUROPE  —  OUR  STAY  IN  BERLIN  AND  SUBSEQUENT  EUROPEAN 
TRAVEL  —  A  SECOND  TRIP  ABROAD  —  DEATH  OF  MAJOR  JOHN 
A.  LOGAN,  JR.,  IN  THE  PHILIPPINES  —  STATUES  OF  GENERAL 
LOGAN RECENT  ACTIVITIES 409 

INDEX 453 


ILLUSTRATIONS 


MRS.  JOHN  A.  LOGAN Frontispiece 

FACING 
PAGE 

GENERAL  LOGAN  AS  PROSECUTING  ATTORNEY  IN  1855 40 

MRS.  JOHN  A.  LOGAN  IN  1858 40 

FIRST  RESIDENCE  OWNED  AND  OCCUPIED  BY  GENERAL  LOGAN,  IN 

BENTON,  ILLINOIS 48 

JOHN  A.  LOGAN  IN  1861,  AS  COLONEL  OF  THE  THIRTY-FIRST  IL 
LINOIS  REGIMENT 102 

GENERAL  LOGAN'S  CAMP  NEAR  CAIRO,  ILLINOIS,  IN  SEPTEMBER, 

1861 118 

GENERAL  LOGAN  AND  HIS  STAFF  AT  THE  TIME  OF  THE  CAPTURE  OF 

FORT  DONELSON 128 

THE  LANIER  MANSION  AT  MEMPHIS,  TENNESSEE,  GENERAL 
LOGAN'S  HEADQUARTERS  BEFORE  THE  EXPEDITION  AGAINST 
VICKSBURG 132 

GENERAL  JOHN  A.  LOGAN  IN  1862 146 

MAP  OF  A  ROAD  NEAR  ATLANTA,  DRAWN  BY  CAPTAIN  H.  B.  CUN- 

NINGHAM 156 

LETTER  OF  GENERAL  JOSEPH  HOOKER  TO  GENERAL  LOGAN  IN 
FORMING  HIM  OF  GENERAL  HOOKER'S  RESIGNATION  BECAUSE 
OF  THE  APPOINTMENT  OF  GENERAL  HOWARD  TO  THE  COM 
MAND  OF  THE  ARMY  OF  THE  TENNESSEE 162 

LETTER  OF  PRESIDENT  LINCOLN  TO  GENERAL  LOGAN  IN  1864    .     174 

THE  ORDER  FROM  GENERAL  GRANT  DIRECTING  GENERAL  LOGAN 

TO  RELIEVE  GENERAL  THOMAS 1 86 

LETTER  OF  GENERAL  LOGAN  TO  GENERAL  GRANT  AFTER  GENERAL 

THOMAS'S  VICTORY  AT  NASHVILLE 188 

XV 


xvi  ILLUSTRATIONS 

PACING 
PAGE 

TELEGRAM  FROM  GENERAL  GRANT  REVOKING  HIS  ORDER  TO  GEN 
ERAL  LOGAN  TO  RELIEVE  GENERAL  THOMAS 190 

GENERAL  JOHN  A.  LOGAN  IN  1884 368 

MARY  LOGAN  TUCKER 426 

MAJOR  JOHN  A.  LOGAN,  JR 426 

MRS.  JOHN  A.  LOGAN,  JR 426 

JOHN  A.  LOGAN,  III 426 


REMINISCENCES  OF  A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE 
AN  AUTOBIOGRAPHY 


REMINISCENCES  OF  A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE 

AN  AUTOBIOGRAPHY 
CHAPTER  I 

EARLY  LIFE  IN  SOUTHERN  ILLINOIS  —  SOUTHERNERS  THE  MAJOR 
ITY  AMONG  THE  SETTLERS  —  ABSENCE  OF  FREE  SCHOOLS  — 
POPULATION  MAINLY  AGRICULTURAL  —  WOMAN'S  WORK  ON  THE 
FARM  —  PASTIMES  AND  HOLIDAYS  —  QUILTING-P ARTIES,  CORN- 
HUSKINGS  AND  APPLE-PARINGS  —  "TRAINING  DAY"  —FOURTH 
OF  JULY  AND  CHRISTMAS  —  CHURCHES  INFREQUENT  —  PRO 
TRACTED  MEETINGS  AND  REVIVALS  —  PROMINENT  PREACHERS  — 
DOCTOR  BASCOM,  THE  FRIEND  OF  CLAY  —  PULPIT  DEBATES  — 
ORGANIZATION  OF  THE  CAMPBELLITE  CHURCH  —  TEACHERS 
FROM  MASSACHUSETTS  —  PROGRESS  IN  EDUCATION  SINCE  PIO 
NEER  DAYS  —  WIDE-SPREAD  IGNORANCE 

I  WAS  born  in  Petersburgh,  Boone  County,  Missouri,  on 
the  1 5th  day  of  August,  1838,  of  Irish-French  ancestry.  My 
father  was  a  native  of  Lincoln  County,  Tennessee,  but  when 
quite  a  young  man  migrated  to  Petersburgh,  as  an  employee 
of  George  P.  Dorris,  a  merchant  king  of  that  day.  Mr.  Dor- 
ris  had  a  dry-goods  establishment  in  the  town  of  Petersburgh, 
where  my  father  met  my  mother,  Elizabeth  Hicks  La  Fon 
taine.  Grandfather  La  Fontaine  was  one  of  the  French  Hugue 
nots  who  settled  in  western  Illinois  and  Missouri  at  a  very 
early  date.  My  grandfather  owned  large  tracts  of  land  in 
Missouri  and  many  slaves.  My  Grandmother  La  Fontaine 
was  a  cousin  of  General  Sterling  Price,  of  Mexican  War  and 
Confederate  fame.  When  my  father  and  mother  were  married, 

3 


4  REMINISCENCES  OF 

grandfather  gave  my  mother,  as  a  wedding-present,  a  colored 
man,  his  wife,  and  two  children. 

Soon  after  my  birth,  my  Grandfather  Cunningham,  having 
liberated  his  slaves  in  Tennessee,  removed  to  southern  Illi 
nois,  and  became  urgent  for  my  father  to  come  to  him  to  look 
after  him  in  his  declining  years.  Full  of  filial  affection,  father 
decided  that  he  could  not  resist  Grandfather  Cunningham's 
appeal.  He  therefore  disposed  of  his  business,  liberated  his 
slaves,  and  returned  to  southern  Illinois. 

The  country  was  new  and  population  sparse;  but  my 
father,  full  of  courage,  made  every  effort  to  overcome  all 
difficulties  and  hew  his  way  to  success.  In  his  efforts  he  was 
ably  seconded  by  my  self-denying,  loyal,  and  courageous 
mother,  whose  brilliant  mind  enabled  her  to  devise  ways  and 
means  of  meeting  every  emergency.  In  a  brief  time  my 
father  became  one  of  the  most  popular  men  in  that  locality, 
our  home  then  being  at  Marion,  Williamson  County,  where 
we  resided  during  my  childhood.  Schools  were  very  few,  and 
we  had  only  the  advantages  of  itinerant  teachers,  who  came 
and  went  periodically.  Father  and  mother  were  so  anxious 
for  us  children  to  be  educated  that  they  lost  no  opportunity 
of  employing  these  teachers,  as  well  as  taking  advantage  of 
every  other  source  of  education  for  us. 

Southern  Illinois  at  that  time  was  not  so  advanced  in  civili 
zation  as  the  far  Western  States  of  to-day.  The  wealth  of 
the  nation  was  not  what  it  is  at  present.  The  earlier  settlers 
of  the  border  States  and  Territories  of  the  West  had  not  the 
modern  inventions  and  improvements  which  have  in  later 
years  so  facilitated  their  settlement.  The  pioneers  of  the 
whole  belt  of  country  south  of  the  Ohio  and  Mississippi  Rail 
road  had  accomplished  wonders  in  the  matter  of  clearing 
away  the  dense  forests,  draining  the  swamp-lands  of  that  lo 
cality,  making  large  farms,  and  building  up  towns  and  vil 
lages.  Still,  under  the  methods  then  employed,  it  was  a  slow 
process,  and  they  were  far  behind  in  matters  of  education  and 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  5 

progress.  Free  schools  were  unknown,  much  prejudice  exist 
ing  against  the  education  of  the  masses,  through  the  influence 
of  the  Southerners,  who  were  greatly  in  the  majority  among 
the  settlers.  People  from  the  slave  States  opposed  education 
on  the  ground  that  they  could  not  "keep  the  niggers  down 
if  they  had  larnin'."  They  considered  illiteracy  their  surest 
bulwark  for  the  protection  of  their  cherished  institution. 

With  but  one  railroad — the  Illinois  Central — which  runs 
transversely  through  the  whole  length  of  the  State,  communica 
tion  and  intercourse  with  the  world  was  limited.  Agriculture 
was  the  chief  resource  of  the  people.  Every  child  was,  to  a 
certain  extent,  a  producer,  and  children  had  to  work  part  of 
each  year  before  they  had  reached  their  teens.  From  early 
spring  until  the  crops  were  in  and  the  grain  harvested  the 
girls  and  boys  had  to  assist  in  putting  in  the  wheat  and  small 
grain  that  must  be  sown  in  the  fall,  and  in  gathering  and 
garnering  the  corn  and  other  products,  and  all  without  the 
aid  of  machinery.  There  were  no  McCormick  reapers  and 
harvesters,  or  Hough's  ploughs  and  planters;  but  with  oxen, 
mules,  and  horses  men  and  boys  ploughed  all  day  long,  while 
the  women  and  weaker  or  aged  men  followed  in  the  furrows, 
dropping  the  seeds  by  hand.  The  harvesting  was  done  with 
cradle,  scythe,  or  sickle,  while  men  followed  the  skilful  cradler, 
and  by  hand  bound  the  bundles  of  rye,  oats,  and  wheat. 
Others  followed  and  shocked  them  in  the  fields  till  they  had 
passed  through  the  "sweat"  and  were  ready  for  the  thrash 
ing-yard.  Here  was  heard  the  stamp  of  many  horses'  feet, 
tramping  out  the  grain  on  the  smooth  yard  prepared  for  the 
purpose.  The  Ruths  and  Naomis  were  many,  who  gleaned 
the  fields  carefully  after  the  men,  to  be  sure  that,  as  nearly  as 
possible,  every  grain  should  be  saved. 

Besides  the  gleaning,  the  women  and  girls  worked  prodig 
iously  to  brew,  bake,  and  cook  for  the  harvesters,  who  went 
into  the  fields  at  five  o'clock  in  the  morning.  The  women 
had  to  rise  long  before  that  hour  to  give  them  their  break- 


6  REMINISCENCES  OF 

fast.  At  ten  o'clock  came  lunch,  at  twelve  o'clock  a  dinner 
composed  of  every  variety  of  meat  and  vegetables  at  their 
command,  and  at  six  o'clock  supper  for  all  the  men  who 
worked  together  in  the  harvest.  Four  meals  a  day  cost  these 
faithful  women  aching  limbs  and  much  fatigue  that  would 
now  dishearten  housewives.  In  addition,  the  young  girls  had 
to  assist  in  carding,  spinning,  weaving,  and  making  the  clothes 
for  the  family,  including  those  of  the  men.  Ready-made 
clothes  were  little  known  even  to  well-to-do  people.  Such 
clothes  were  regarded  with  great  contempt,  as  being  made  of 
"factory  material"  of  inferior  quality.  "Very  few  pieces  of 
factory  cloth  are  a  yard  wide  and  all  wool,"  would  be  said 
depreciatingly.  After  all  this  work,  it  was  not  an  unusual 
thing  to  hear  the  thrifty  housewives  say:  "I  have  done  very 
little  this  year.  I  have  made  only  so  many  yards  of  jeans, 
blankets,  flannel,  cotton  cloth,  carpeting,  etc.  Not  by  —  so 
many  yards  as  last  year."  Unless  they  could  show  an 
incredible  number  of  yards  of  material  manufactured,  dyed, 
and  then  made  into  clothing  they  had  not  accomplished 
the  full  measure  of  their  ambition. 

It  goes  without  saying  that  these  women  were  more  indus 
trious,  abler  managers  of  domestic  affairs,  and  better  wives 
and  mothers  than  a  majority  of  the  wives  and  mothers  of 
this  era.  The  multiplication  of  labor-saving  machines  and  the 
introduction  of  luxuries  which  were  unknown  to  our  mothers 
have  begotten  a  spirit  of  indifference  and  lassitude.  Mothers 
now  rarely  feel  it  incumbent  upon  them  to  enlighten  their  mar 
riageable  daughters  on  the  duties  of  wifehood  and  mother 
hood.  Girls  marry  now  expecting  only  indulgence  from  their 
husbands,  and  if  children  are  born  to  them  trained  nurses 
are  called  to  relieve  the  mothers  of  the  care  and  responsibility 
of  their  babies.  They  are  more  interested  in  the  preserva 
tion  of  their  girlish  figures  after  childbirth  than  in  the  wel 
fare  of  their  offspring. 

Household   duties   devolved   absolutely  upon   the  female 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  7 

members  of  the  family,  it  being  effeminate  for  any  male  mem 
ber  to  perform  any  labor  of  a  domestic  nature.  Many  stal 
wart  sons  have  stood  idly  by  while  their  delicate  mothers, 
wives,  or  sisters  exposed  themselves  in  inclement  weather, 
milking  the  cows  and  performing  the  hardships  which  were 
considered  woman's  work.  On  the  other  hand,  the  men  did 
not  hesitate  to  insist  upon  the  same  mothers,  wives,  and 
sisters  trudging  up  and  down  the  rows,  dropping  and  cover 
ing  the  corn  with  a  hoe,  or  following  the  reapers,  turning  and 
raking  the  grain  as  it  fell  before  the  sickle.  The  blessed  wives 
of  pioneers  fulfilled  to  the  letter  their  marriage  vows  of  devo 
tion  in  " sickness  and  in  health,  for  richer  or  poorer."  They 
were  handmaidens  when  the  family  were  in  health,  nurses  and 
ofttimes  physicians  when  any  of  the  family  were  ill;  even 
undertakers  when  death  visited  a  household,  unless,  forsooth, 
that  office  was  performed  by  some  friend  or  neighbor. 

Ex-President  Roosevelt's  heart  would  have  been  delighted 
with  the  large  families  which  were  the  rule,  and  not  the  excep 
tion,  in  those  days.  I  have  often  heard  mothers  say  they 
had  no  more  trouble  in  caring  for  half  a  dozen  children  than 
for  one  because,  in  either  case,  it  took  all  their  time  to  look 
after  the  home  and  baby.  When  there  were  more  than  one 
the  children  took  care  of  each  other,  and  they  could  only  give 
all  their  time  under  any  circumstances.  These  children  were 
reared  by  their  own  parents,  and  not  by  indifferent,  ill-man 
nered,  unscrupulous  servants,  whose  influence  is  so  baneful 
in  many  of  the  homes  of  to-day.  They  were  taught  self-denial, 
and  to  help  themselves  and  their  brothers  and  sisters. 

I  doubt  seriously  if  there  is  now  half  the  happiness  among 
the  people  generally  that  there  was  in  those  pioneer  days, 
when  all  worked  hard,  and  all  enjoyed  the  holidays  and 
merrymakings  together.  Old  and  young  joined  in  the  sports 
and  pastimes  with  an  abandon  of  enthusiasm  which  springs 
from  healthy  minds  and  bodies  that  have  not  been  satiated 
by  too  much  leisure  and  overindulgence. 


8  REMINISCENCES   OF 

Amusements  were  often  preceded  by  the  accomplishment  of 
something  useful.  If  a  piece  of  land  was  to  be  cleared,  not 
infrequently  the  proprietor  invited  all  his  neighbors  to  give 
him  a  day  of  their  services  in  felling  and  rolling  the  logs  that 
he  could  not  possibly  handle  by  himself.  If  he  had  the  money 
to  pay  men  to  assist  him  he  could  rarely  get  them,  because 
there  were  few  in  the  country  who  could  afford  to  leave  their 
own  work  to  engage  in  the  service  of  anybody  for  the  low 
wages  paid  in  localities  where  slavery  did  not  exist.  How 
ever,  where  persons  had  anything  like  a  favorable  standing 
in  the  community  in  which  they  lived  neighbors  would 
readily  accept  their  invitation,  and  give  an  honest  hard  day's 
work  to  help  each  other  with  their  clearing,  harvesting,  husk 
ing,  or  house-raising. 

A  few  days  before  he  was  ready  for  the  work  the  person 
desiring  this  assistance  would  mount  a  horse,  and  ride  for 
miles  from  house  to  house,  asking  old  and  young  men  to  come 
on  a  certain  day  to  help  him;  and  as  the  good  wife  had  a  very 
important  part  to  play  in  preparing  the  feast  for  the  occasion, 
the  husband  usually  bore  his  wife's  compliments  to  the  female 
members  of  his  friends'  families  and  an  invitation  to  them  to 
come  also.  This  invitation,  these  good  women  knew,  meant 
that  the  wife  wanted  some  assistance  in  her  work. 

The  women  held  quil  ting-par  ties.  A  patchwork  quilt  was 
generally  prepared  thus  for  quilting :  The  lining  was  first  laced 
in  frames  made  for  the  purpose,  the  cotton  laid  smoothly  over 
the  lining,  then  the  patchwork  spread  over  and  basted  closely 
all  around  the  edges.  Then,  with  chalk  and  a  line,  the  women 
marked  out  the  designs  for  the  quilting,  fan-shaped  figures 
being  the  most  popular.  After  quilting  one  or  two  rows  of 
fans,  according  to  the  size,  the  side  frames  were  loosened,  the 
quilted  part  rolled  up,  and  the  frame  again  fastened  by 
placing  a  peg  through  the  holes  in  the  frames,  thus  allow 
ing  the  quilters  to  reach  another  row  nearer  the  centre,  repeat 
ing  the  process  until  the  whole  of  the  quilt  was  quilted. 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  9 

Among  so  many  there  were  often  drones,  or  unskilled  needle 
women.  These  went  into  the  kitchen  and  helped  the  house 
wife  cook  the  dinner  and  supper,  an  indispensable  feature 
of  the  occasion.  The  young  people  many  times  remained  for 
dancing  or  games,  according  to  the  scruples  of  the  persons 
giving  the  entertainment. 

The  "  corn-huskings "  and  "  apple-parings "  were  evening 
affairs.  A  company  of  young  men  and  women,  in  an  eve 
ning  from  six  to  nine  o'clock,  would  husk  a  hundred  bushels 
of  corn,  and  peel  many  bushels  of  apples,  peaches,  or  pears, 
for  drying.  The  young  men  paired  off,  as  they  are  ever  wont 
to  do,  each  inviting  the  girl  he  fancied  to  sit  beside  him.  They 
talked,  they  sang,  and  merrily  chaffed  each  other  as  they 
rapidly  husked  the  corn.  Every  time  a  red  ear  was  found  a 
scuffle  ensued,  as  the  finder  claimed  a  kiss  from  his  partner, 
who,  with  becoming  modesty,  resisted  the  attempts  to  kiss 
her.  All  enjoyed  the  fun  at  the  expense  of  the  blushing  girl, 
who  was  always  captured,  and  could  do  nothing  but  surrender. 
The  "fruit-parings"  were  characterized  by  the  same  jollity 
and  good  humor.  After  the  work  was  over  everything  would 
be  set  aside,  and  the  merriest  dances  indulged  in,  lasting  till 
the  wee  small  hours.  These  indefatigable  people  were  as 
bright  and  ready  for  the  fun  at  five  o'clock  in  the  morning 
as  if  they  had  neither  worked  nor  danced  a  step.  They  would 
go  to  their  homes  and  take  up  their  duties  the  following  day 
regardless  of  the  fact  that  they  had  hardly  slept  an  hour  of 
the  previous  twenty-four.  Toward  the  evening  of  the  second 
day,  however,  they  began  to  lag,  and  followed  with  avidity 
Franklin's  maxim,  "Early  to  bed,"  etc. 

The  harvesting  was  done  in  much  the  same  way:  neigh 
bors  going  from  farm  to  farm,  joining  forces  and  despatching 
the  work  with  great  rapidity,  the  lads  having  many  a  frolic 
with  the  lassies  in  the  light  of  the  witching  harvest-moon. 

In  case  of  intermarriage  between  members  of  the  more 
wealthy  families  a  series  of  parties  and  banquets  would  be 


io  REMINISCENCES  OF 

organized,  and  for  a  whole  week  following  the  wedding  the 
neighbors  would  go  from  house  to  house,  on  horseback  and 
in  every  conceivable  vehicle,  to  attend  the  parties  which  were 
given  for  miles  around.  They  gave  themselves  up  to  feasting, 
dancing,  and  merrymaking,  troops  of  them  staying  all  night 
at  one  house  and  the  next  day  going  to  another,  until  they 
had  finished  their  round  of  festivities. 

New  Year's  Day,  Washington's  Birthday,  Training  Day, 
Fourth  of  July,  or  Independence  Day,  as  it  was  sometimes 
called,  Thanksgiving  Day,  and  Christmas  were  each  observed 
universally  and  with  prodigality  of  preparation  and  earnest 
ness. 

New  Year's  Day  was  celebrated  generally  by  dinner-giving, 
much  feasting,  and  dancing-parties  in  the  evening.  The  cus 
tom  of  making  ceremonious  calls  on  New  Year's  Day  did  not 
obtain  in  this  country  until  later  years.  Usually  the  evening 
was  taken  up  with  social  affairs  as  a  finale  to  the  festivities 
of  the  preceding  holiday  week. 

Washington's  Birthday  had  its  annual  celebration  by  ban 
quets,  which  were  great  events.  Eloquent  and  patriotic 
speeches  were  made  in  response  to  the  toasts.  Thrilling  sto 
ries  were  told  of  Washington  and  the  battles  of  the  Revolu 
tionary  War.  A  grand  ball  invariably  followed  the  ban 
quets,  either  at  the  mansion  of  some  private  individual  or 
in  a  hall,  and  was  attended  by  the  eligible  society  people  of 
every  community.  Extensive  preparations,  consuming  much 
time  of  the  most  prominent  members  of  society,  were  made 
for  these  celebrations  of  the  natal  day  of  the  Father  of  His 
Country. 

Training  Day,  which  usually  occurred  in  midsummer,  was 
anticipated  with  the  wildest  enthusiasm  and  outbursts  of 
patriotism.  The  few  who  were  descendants  of  the  heroes  of 
the  Revolutionary  War,  or  War  of  1812,  or  had  participated  in 
the  Black  Hawk  or  other  Indian  wars  were  the  commissioned 
and  non-commissioned  officers  of  what  might  be  called  the 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  u 

State  militia.  They  imagined  that  annual  meetings  were 
quite  sufficient  to  cultivate  the  proper  military  spirit  and  keep 
aglow  the  fires  of  patriotism  in  the  hearts  of  the  people.  They 
were  thoroughly  imbued  with  the  belief  that — "To  fight 

"Is  the  best  office  of  the  best  of  men; 
And  to  decline  when  these  motives  urge 
Is  infamy  beneath  a  coward's  baseness." 

They  had  implicit  confidence  in  their  prowess,  and  felt  as 
sured  that,  on  their  country's  call,  they  could  drop  the  plough- 
handles,  or  whatever  vocation  they  had,  pick  up  their  guns 
as  did  the  men  of  Concord,  and  rout  any  foe.  They  thought 
little  training  necessary  for  longer  service. 

When  the  day  arrived,  at  an  early  hour  the  whole  popula 
tion  gathered  in  the  villages.  Red,  white,  and  blue  calico 
was  displayed  in  great  profusion.  Flags  and  bunting  not  be 
ing  so  plentiful  as  they  are  to-day,  the  ingenious  people  used 
every  symbol  of  love  of  country  which  they  could  conceive. 
I  have  seen  home-made  flags,  supposed  to  be  the  correct 
copies  of  the  national  emblem,  with  red,  white,  and  blue 
stripes  and  gilt  stars  on  blue  fields.  Those  truly  patriotic 
people  were  unable  to  remember  correctly  the  arrangement 
of  the  colors  in  Old  Glory — so  familiar  to  every  child  of  this 
age  of  patriotic  instruction,  flag  drill,  and  with  the  emblem  of 
freedom  waving  above  every  schoolhouse. 

All  the  treasures  which  had  been  preserved  in  families  whose 
antecedents  had  ever  been  in  the  service  in  any  capacity  were 
brought  forth  and  displayed  on  that  day.  The  "sword  of 
Bunker  Hill,"  and  the  rusty  blades  used  in  other  engagements 
were  brightened  up.  The  guns  and  muskets  were  taken  down 
from  the  racks  made  of  antlers  of  the  deer  and  elk,  which 
were  over  the  front  doors  of  most  homes.  The  guns  or  other 
implements  of  warfare  were  carefully  cleaned  and  polished. 
Bullets  were  moulded  by  hand  as  if  for  actual  warfare.  Faded 
and  moth-eaten  clothes  and  sashes  were  donned  with  pride 


12  REMINISCENCES  OF 

by  the  scions  of  military  heroes  who  figured  in  the  early  strug 
gles  of  the  republic.  Drums  and  fifes  which  had  been  handed 
down  through  at  least  two  or  three  generations  played  a 
conspicuous  part  in  the  marches  that  were  the  features  of 
the  day,  the  shrill  notes  of  "Hail,  Columbia,"  "Yankee 
Doodle,"  and  "The  Star-Spangled  Banner"  stirring  the  latent 
patriotism  in  all  hearts  to  the  highest  pitch.  Falstaff's  troop 
presented  no  more  ludicrous  spectacle  than  did  some  of  these 
soldiers  enlisted  for  a  single  day.  I  have  vivid  recollections  of 
seeing  these  parades.  The  captains  of  the  companies,  mounted 
on  fiery  steeds  unused  to  the  sound  of  drum-beats  and  the 
whistling  of  fifes,  employed  desperate  efforts  to  manage  their 
horses  as  they  rode  up  and  down  the  crooked  lines,  shouting 
meaningless  commands  to  the  embryo  soldiers.  The  latter, 
though  hopelessly  ignorant  of  tactics,  were  intensely  in  ear 
nest  in  their  manifestations  of  the  spirit  of  patriotism. 

Great  rivalry  existed  among  those  who  had,  either  by  in 
heritance  or  experience,  any  knowledge  of  military  tactics, 
as  to  who  should  be  the  commander-in-chief  on  these  occa 
sions,  and  bitter  feuds  frequently  followed  Militia  or  Training 
Day  on  account  of  the  election  of  the  commandant.  The 
commander-in-chief  was  usually  elected  by  the  company  or 
companies  who  belonged  to  the  militia.  Every  one  was  glad 
when  the  day  closed  without  personal  difficulties  or  collision 
between  the  factions  of  the  eligibles  to  the  enviable  position 
of  generalissimo.  Late  in  the  evening,  exhausted  by  the  heat 
and  fatigues  of  the  day,  they  repaired  to  their  homes  to 
discuss  the  glories  of  the  display,  and  their  individual  experi 
ences  and  opinions  of  the  thrilling  episodes  that  had  occurred 
during  the  momentous  twenty-four  hours. 

No  member  of  any  family  was  left  at  home  on  Training 
Day,  as  it  would  have  been  an  evidence  of  unpardonable  in 
difference  to  the  future  of  the  country.  The  female  members 
took  special  pride  in  the  part  their  lords  and  masters  had  in 
the  mimic  manoeuvres.  They  prepared  splendid  feasts,  which 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  13 

were  spread  picnic-fashion  under  shady  trees  then  adjacent 
to  all  villages  and  towns.  At  high  noon  everything  was  sus 
pended  for  an  hour  in  which  to  enjoy  the  feast. 

The  Fourth  of  July,  Independence  Day,  was  the  occasion 
of  all  occasions  for  jubilation  and  patriotic  demonstrations. 
There  were  mimic  military  parades,  firing  of  cannon,  hoisting 
of  flags,  orations  setting  forth  the  deeds  of  valor  of  our  ances 
tors  in  achieving  American  independence,  barbecues,  and 
feasts  for  the  multitude.  Dancing  in  the  evening  and  all 
manner  of  demonstrations  illustrative  of  the  freedom  and  the 
happiness  of  the  people  were  in  order. 

After  the  harvest  and  garnering  of  the  grain  came  Thanks 
giving,  observed  always  by  a  feast.  Everything  that  flies  in 
the  air,  swims  in  the  sea,  grows  out  of  the  ground,  or  upon 
tree  or  vine,  contributed  to  the  abundance  laid  upon  the  table 
for  the  Thanksgiving  dinner.  In  almost  every  home  family 
parties  gathered  together  to  utter  their  gratitude  to  a  boun 
tiful  Providence,  and  to  feast  upon  the  good  things  set 
before  them.  It  must  be  confessed  that  there  was  sometimes 
indulgence  beyond  the  proprieties. 

But  the  holiday  of  all  the  year  was  blessed  Christmas-tide, 
extending  from  Christmas  to  and  including  New  Year's  Day. 
For  weeks  before  parents  and  children  would  lay  aside,  with 
scrupulous  care  and  great  secrecy,  all  they  could  for  Christ 
mas;  and  none  was  so  poor  as  to  be  indifferent  to  the  influence 
of  the  pretty  custom  of  remembering  loved  ones  with  some 
token  at  Christmas. 

We  have  watched  the  simple  folk  in  their  preparations  for 
this  day  with  moistened  eyes,  because  of  the  touch  of  heav 
enly  love  that  pervaded  all  their  efforts.  They  little  knew 
themselves  how  much  of  the  love  divine  was  portrayed  in 
their  vigilant  efforts  and  tender  care  to  obtain  something 
with  which  to  gladden  the  heart  of  some  one  of  their  cherished 
circle.  From  the  sturdy,  thrifty  father  and  patient,  tireless 
mother  to  the  generous,  loving  children,  all  were  busy  with 


i4  REMINISCENCES  OF 

plans  and  schemes  to  get  the  most  and  the  best  their  scant 
stores  could  afford  for  Christmas  morning,  when,  at  early 
dawn,  " Merry  Christmas!"  resounded  through  their  homes. 

We  have  seen  children  gathering  nuts  and  carefully  hiding 
them  away;  drying  pop-corn  ready  to  be  popped  white  for 
the  feast;  selecting  and  putting  away  in  the  loft  bright-red 
apples,  to  be  given  Christmas  morning  to  father,  mother,  sis 
ters,  brothers,  and  friends.  We  have  watched  them  awaken 
from  their  fitful  slumbers,  impatient  to  see  what  their  gifts 
might  be.  Their  fond  mothers  had  perchance  tucked  them 
in  their  beds  the  night  before  with  aching  hearts,  because  they 
hardly  knew  how  to  provide  satisfactory  surprises  for  the 
early  greetings  of  beloved  children.  Many  a  time  these  same 
devoted  mothers  have  lighted  the  fire,  and,  while  the  chil 
dren  slept,  have  made  sweet  dough  and  cut  with  their  dex 
terous  hands  "  Jim  Crows,"  elephants,  horses,  cows,  dogs,  cats, 
and  every  device  that  could  be  called  an  image  of  a  man, 
beast,  or  bird,  baked  them  and  slipped  them  into  the  stock 
ings  of  the  little  ones.  These,  ignorant  of  the  latter-day 
sweetmeats  and  bonbons,  were  as  happy  to  find  the  crude 
imitations  of  animate  objects  as  if  they  had  found  the  most 
dainty  delicacies.  In  a  brief  time  thereafter  the  children 
would  devour  the  men  and  the  menagerie  with  the  avidity  of 
veritable  cannibals,  all  the  while  making  merry  with  their 
happy  songs  and  talk. 

In  families  better  situated  in  life,  by  dint  of  industry  for 
days  and  weeks  before,  useful  and  ornamental  presents  were 
gathered  together.  Slippers,  gloves,  mufflers,  and  lap-robes 
were  fashioned  by  mothers,  wives,  sweethearts,  and  daugh 
ters  for  fathers,  brothers,  husbands,  and  beaux;  while  these 
manly  fellows  were  generous  and  thoughtful  for  those  who 
loved  them  so  dearly.  The  poor  in  every  community  were  not 
neglected,  but  came  in  for  turkeys,  rare  viands,  and  clothing. 

The  merchants  in  small  towns  were  the  only  ones  who 
dreaded  the  Christmas  holidays,  because  of  the  troops  of 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  15 

children,  some  of  them  in  their  teens,  going  from  shop  to 
shop  crying:  "Christmas  gift!  Merry  Christmas!''  and 
expecting  something  from  each  merchant.  Marbles,  toys, 
confections,  ribbons,  and  trinkets  were  given  sometimes, 
greatly  to  the  loss  of  profit  by  the  proprietors.  This  custom, 
through  the  increase  of  population,  became  such  an  intoler 
able  nuisance  that  it  had  to  be  discontinued. 

The  tree  was  an  important  factor  in  the  preparation  for 
celebrating  the  advent  of  Christmas.  A  fine  evergreen,  of 
which  there  were  giant  specimens  in  the  primeval  forests 
that  surrounded  every  town  and  hamlet,  was  cut  down  and 
brought  to  the  largest  private  house,  or  to  the  church.  It 
was  put  in  place  in  a  box  or  mound,  which  held  it  firmly. 
This  foundation  was  covered  with  green  boughs,  or  some 
thing  representing  grass.  The  decorations  consisted  of  dried 
grasses,  tinsel  thread,  pop-corn  strung  on  string,  red  and  yel 
low  berries  gathered  in  the  fall  from  the  berry-bearing  trees 
in  the  forest,  oranges,  apples,  lemons,  and  every  variety  of 
bright-colored  chenille  and  knitting-yarn. 

If  the  tree  was  in  a  home,  every  member  of  the  family,  on 
Christmas  Eve,  brought  to  the  home  their  gifts,  all  wrapped 
up  and  marked  for  the  persons  for  whom  they  were  intended. 
Early  Christmas  morning,  every  one  interested,  including  the 
servants,  assembled.  The  oldest  man  in  the  family  was 
dressed  up  in  cotton  batting  or  furs,  and,  wearing  a  mask 
and  a  fur  cap,  played  Santa  Claus.  When  all  were  ready, 
some  one  played  a  Christmas  carol.  Then  Santa  Claus,  scis 
sors  in  hand,  proceeded  to  cut  off  the  presents  from  the  tree, 
and  distribute  them  as  they  were  addressed.  The  exclama 
tions  of  delight  with  which  the  recipients  received  each  par 
cel  rings  in  my  ears  as  I  recall  those  happy  occasions.  After 
every  one  had  displayed  his  gifts,  a  sumptuous  breakfast  was 
announced,  and  again  all  was  merriment. 

If  the  tree  was  in  the  church,  the  whole  town  joined  in. 
Every  man,  woman,  and  child  was  remembered  and  some- 


16  REMINISCENCES  OF 

thing  provided  for  each  out  of  the  fund  collected.  The  minis 
ters  announced  the  hour  when  all  were  expected  to  be  present. 
They  prepared  an  appropriate  programme  of  recitations 
and  carols,  and  closed  with  a  benediction.  For  months  good 
cheer  and  happiness  seemed  to  follow  such  fitting  observ 
ance  of  the  anniversary  of  the  birth  of  our  Saviour. 

A  round  of  sleighing-parties,  balls,  candy-pullings,  dinner 
parties,  and  merrymaking  consumed  the  whole  time  from 
Christmas  Eve  until  January  2.  Christmas  Day  was  set 
apart  for  religious  service,  when  the  churches  were  decorated 
with  evergreens  and  all  the  flowers  possible  to  obtain.  Among 
the  vicious  or  lawless  people  it  was  a  season  of  debauch 
ery;  tramping  about  over  the  neighborhood  they  went 
shooting,  drinking,  and  yelling  like  heathen,  whose  pagan 
festivals  were  once  observed  during  the  winter  season.  The 
custom  of  decorating  the  homes  seems  to  have  been  as  old 
as  time,  and,  in  the  scarcity  of  flowers  in  that  climate,  careful 
housewives  used  to  gather  and  press  the  autumn  leaves  and 
grasses  when  they  were  in  their  glory,  and  then  arrange 
them  so  effectively  that  they  supplied  every  deficiency. 

With  me  the  memory  of  the  Christmas  holidays  of  my 
girlhood  will  ever  be  one  of  the  most  sacred  and  sweet  of  my 
life — from  the  larks  of  the  school-children,  when  I  was  one 
of  them,  in  barring  in  or  out  the  teacher  till  he  or  she  gave 
us  a  holiday  and  a  treat,  to  the  blessed  Christmas  morning, 
when  we  all  flew  into  father's  and  mother's  room  screaming 
"Merry  Christmas!"  to  find  the  thirteen  pairs  of  well-filled 
stockings  hanging  round  the  broad  old  fireplace,  and  to  re 
ceive  the  warm  embraces  of  those  revered  and  indulgent 
parents.  I  can  never  forget  the  happy  time  that  followed  in 
displaying  our  treasures,  and  in  coming  to  the  table  to  see 
father  and  mother  open  the  numberless  packages  which  we 
used  to  prepare  for  them.  The  hours  we  brothers  and  sisters 
spent  in  executing  our  surprises  for  father,  mother,  and  each 
other,  with  the  merry  episodes,  mishaps,  successes,  and  pleas- 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  17 

ures,  will  cling  to  me  evermore.  The  madcap  fun  that  we 
used  to  have,  sleigh-riding  with  the  troops  of  boys  and  girls 
who  were  our  friends;  the  overturning  of  the  sleighs;  the 
scrambling  to  pick  ourselves  up,  and  the  hurrying  and  scurry 
ing  to  get  home  all  right  for  fear  of  the  disapproval  of  father 
and  mother!  The  merry  dancing  and  candy-pulling,  when, 
with  ropes  of  candy,  we  used  to  lariat  some  favorite  school 
boy  friend,  and  threaten  his  execution  with  the  sweet  cord, 
for  some  boyish  prank  he  had  played !  How  well  I  remember 
the  sparkling  wood-fire  in  the  ample  old  fireplace,  with  rows 
of  apples  toasting  before  it,  the  great  dishes  of  pop-corn,  so 
white  and  fresh  and  tender,  as  it  always  is  when  popped  in 
a  covered  kettle;  the  sweet,  rich  nuts  and  the  amber  cider 
for  the  evenings  when  we  assembled  in  each  others'  homes  for 
a  good  time,  and  to  play  games  of  forfeit  and  chance!  For 
genuine  pleasure,  those  times  have  never  been  surpassed 
by  the  stately  occasions  of  maturer  years,  and,  more  than 
once,  my  heart  has  longed  for  a  reversion  of  time,  and  a 
return  of  those  happy  days. 

The  churches  were  few,  some  denominations,  notably  the 
Baptist  and  the  Methodist,  having  only  monthly  meetings, 
beginning  on  Saturday  and  sometimes  continuing  for  two  or 
three  days  and  even  longer,  but  always  until  and  including 
Sunday  night.  Persons  from  all  over  the  country  attended 
these  meetings,  coming  great  distances  on  horseback,  in  wagons, 
or  in  any  other  kind  of  conveyance  at  their  command,  and 
frequently  on  foot.  In  such  instances  the  care  of  the  shoes 
was  the  first  consideration.  Men  and  women  would  walk 
barefooted  until  near  the  church,  when  they  would  sit  down 
and  put  on  their  shoes  and  stockings  in  order  to  appear  prop 
erly  dressed  on  their  arrival  at  church.  Every  one  seemed  to 
have  some  pride,  and  worked  hard  all  the  time  in  order  to 
appear  as  well  as  possible,  and  to  accumulate  property  and 
establish  good  homes.  The  claim  that  one  generation  accu 
mulates  for  the  next  to  spend  has  been  exemplified  in  many 


i8  REMINISCENCES  OF 

instances  among  these  worthy  people,  who  struggled  all  their 
lives  and  passed  away,  expecting  that  their  children  would 
emulate  their  example.  Unfortunately,  the  second  genera 
tions  have  neither  the  energy  nor  the  thrift  to  add  to,  or  even 
to  keep,  their  inheritance,  and  strangers  now  possess  the  homes 
of  their  ancestors.  In  August  or  September  camp-meetings 
were  held,  always  of  two  weeks'  duration.  Some  denomina 
tions  owned  a  tract  of  land  in  a  good  neighborhood.  Here, 
different  members  of  the  congregation  built  log  houses. 
Sometimes  a  series  of  these  one-story  log  houses,  now  denomi 
nated  bungalows,  belonged  to  the  more  wealthy  of  the  as 
sembly.  Into  these  the  families  moved,  taking  beds,  bedding, 
cooking  utensils,  crockery,  table  linen,  and  everything  nec 
essary  for  a  comfortable  sojourn  in  the  woods.  Large  quan 
tities  of  supplies  were  provided,  including  pickles,  sweetmeats, 
honey,  delicious  butter,  hams,  vegetables,  the  best  bread,  and 
everything  those  dear  mothers  in  Israel  used  to  know  so  well 
how  to  prepare. 

Around  a  great  square  of  ground,  like  the  barracks  of  a 
military  post,  these  long  rows  of  log  houses  were  built.  In 
the  centre  was  a  large  tabernacle  or  mammoth  pavilion,  which 
was  nothing  more  than  a  spacious  roof  supported  by  strong 
columns  made  from  the  trunks  of  giant  trees.  Every  inch 
of  the  space  beneath  was  seated  like  a  church,  except  that  the 
seats  were  benches  without  backs.  At  the  east  end  of  these 
pavilions  was  a  broad  pulpit.  Here  services  were  held  daily 
for  two  weeks.  The  morning  meeting  began  at  nine  o'clock 
with  an  intermission  of  half  an  hour  at  ten  o'clock,  and  rarely 
closing  before  twelve-thirty.  In  the  afternoon  at  three  o'clock 
there  was  another  meeting,  and  the  evening  service  started 
at  seven  and  never  ended  before  eleven  o'clock  at  night. 
Great  revivals  attended  these  meetings,  and,  doubtless,  many 
people  were  converted  and  thereafter  led  better  lives;  and 
yet  it  now  seems  incredible  that  intelligent  people  could 
have  been  impressed  by  the  illiterate  sermons  and  riotous 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  19 

services    that   often   characterized   the    "protracted    camp- 
meetings." 

As  a  youthful  participant,  my  sympathies  were  always 
deeply  aroused  for  the  poor  women  who  were  the  hostesses 
on  these  occasions.  Multitudes  came  from  every  quarter, 
and  many  times,  as  a  child,  I  have  wondered  if  some  of  the 
ministers  would  or  could  perform  the  miracle  of  the  loaves 
and  fishes,  to  feed  the  hungry  legions  who  congregated  around 
the  tables  of  the  much-imposed-upon  householders.  For 
months  beaux  saved  up  their  best  clothes,  and  the  belles 
their  choicest  finery,  for  camp-meeting.  The  best  horses  in 
the  whole  region  were  pampered  and  groomed  so  that  they 
could  be  ridden  to  camp-meeting,  as  if  they  were  to  be  exhib 
ited  at  a  county  fair.  On  Sundays  the  townspeople  as  well 
as  those  in  the  country,  all  went  carrying  great  baskets  filled 
with  eatables,  as  if  going  to  a  picnic,  and,  after  listening  to 
the  ten-thirty  o'clock  service,  groups  of  people  could  be  seen 
sitting  all  around  under  the  trees,  feasting  and  enjoying  them 
selves  as  on  a  holiday  excursion.  They  would  then  wander 
up  and  down  the  banks  of  the  stream  of  water — a  requisite  of 
an  eligible  site  for  camp-meeting  grounds — or  visit  at  the  dif 
ferent  camps.  They  started  to  return  to  the  pavilion  at  the 
sound  of  the  horn  for  three  o'clock  service.  If  disinclined  to 
attend  a  second  service,  they  continued  to  stroll  about  en 
joying  the  beauties  of  nature.  Under  such  favorable  au 
spices,  the  young  people  frequently  indulged  in  flirtations,  as 
it  was  difficult  to  resist  temptations  of  this  character  with 
such  an  environment.  Innumerable  weddings  generally 
followed  camp-meetings.  Whether  this  was  the  outcome  of 
dwelling  together  in  love  and  harmony,  or  whether  they  did  not 
give  themselves  time  at  any  other  season  to  cultivate  the 
affairs  of  the  heart,  I  do  not  know.  Sometimes  it  rained  in 
torrents,  and  the  discomforts  the  people  endured  were  inde 
scribable,  and  were  enough  to  dampen  the  ardor  of  the  most 
devoted  lover  or  religious  enthusiast.  There  are  persons  to- 


20  REMINISCENCES  OF 

day,  however,  who  look  back  upon  these  occasions  and  the 
associations  around  them  with  sacred  reverence  and  hallowed 
memories. 

Sometimes  the  ministers  who  conducted  the  services  were 
very  able  men  and  devout  Christians,  who  felt  that  to  worship 
God  in  the  temple  of  nature  was  the  highest  privilege  that 
could  be  given  mortals,  and  some  of  their  sermons  were  real 
inspirations.  Reverend  Doctor  Bascom,  of  Kentucky,  the 
friend  of  Henry  Clay,  was  one  of  the  most  eloquent  divines 
I  ever  heard.  It  was  never  necessary  to  request  quiet  atten 
tion  of  the  vast  congregations  which  assembled  on  an  intima 
tion  that  he  was  to  preach.  Spellbound  they  sat  and  listened 
to  him,  and  were  always  deeply  moved  by  the  sublimity  of 
his  eloquence.  If  the  sermons  were  not  of  divine  inspiration 
they  were  from  a  mind  and  heart  of  finer  mould  than  is  often 
seen  in  this  age  of  better  opportunities  of  speakers  and 
preachers. 

It  is  told  of  Doctor  Bascom  that,  after  he  was  made  chap 
lain  of  the  Senate,  through  the  influence  of  Henry  Clay,  he 
was  so  much  elated  over  the  elevation  to  the  position  that  his 
first  sermon  was  a  failure.  Mr.  Clay  was  much  chagrined, 
but  in  no  sense  felt  the  keen  mortification  which  Mr.  Bascom 
himself  experienced.  He  returned  to  his  lodgings,  and  pros 
trated  himself  in  earnest  prayer  to  be  forgiven  for  his  vain 
glorious  attempt  to  preach  with  "Mr.  Bascom"  uppermost 
in  his  mind.  In  the  afternoon  Mr.  Clay  sought  his  friend, 
feeling  great  solicitude  lest  he  were  ill  as  the  solution  of 
the  fiasco.  As  soon  as  he  entered  Mr.  Bascom's  apartments, 
the  minister  came  forward  to  greet  him  cordially,  saying: 
"My  friend,  I  know  what  brings  you  here.  I  know  how  com 
pletely  I  failed  in  my  sermon  this  morning.  I  was  preaching 
Mr.  Bascom  in  all  his  glory,  but  wait  until  next  Sunday,  and 
I  will  preach  Jesus  Christ  crucified,  and  you  will  have  no 
cause  to  blush  for  me."  And  he  fully  redeemed  his  promise. 

The  gigantic  form  of  Elder  Heap  looms  up  before  me  as  I 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  21 

look  back  through  the  veil  of  tears  and  time  that  has  shut 
out  those  familiar  scenes.  He  was  one  of  nature's  noblemen, 
and  did  the  work  of  his  Master  most  effectively. 

Father  Thatcher,  that  learned  and  eccentric  Methodist  di 
vine,  whose  rugged  character  was  reflected  in  a  most  remark 
able  physiognomy  and  physique,  was  another  of  that  wonder 
ful  phalanx  of  men  who  preached  and  prayed  and  worked  for 
the  church  in  those  days. 

Father  Thatcher  was  always  so  absorbed  with  some  theo 
logical  question  or  in  the  study  of  the  Bible  which  he  invari 
ably  carried  with  him  (and  generally  in  his  hand),  that  he 
used  to  do  some  very  funny  things  in  his  absent-minded  way. 
On  one  occasion  he  was  attending  quarterly  meeting,  and  was 
stopping  with  a  good  brother  of  the  church  near  by.  He  had 
ridden  his  old  white  horse,  which  he  insisted  should  be  turned 
into  a  pasture.  The  horse  got  out  and  wandered  off.  Not 
withstanding  the  fact  that  they  all  hunted  for  him,  the  old 
white  horse  could  not  be  found  by  the  boys  of  his  host's  fam 
ily.  Father  Thatcher  had  to  preach  that  day,  so  he  forgot 
all  about  his  horse  being  gone  until,  just  as  he  was  closing 
his  sermon,  he  saw  the  animal  pass  the  church-door,  going 
down  the  road.  Without  finishing  the  sentence  he  was  utter 
ing,  he  called  out:  "Whoa,  Gray!  whoa,  Gray!"  and  down 
from  the  puplit  and  down  the  aisle,  out  at  the  door  he  ran, 
calling  "Whoa!  stop,  Gray!"  until  he  reached  the  horse;  then, 
taking  him  by  the  mane,  he  led  him  to  Brother  Marvel's  stable, 
without  remembering  to  go  back  and  finish  his  sermon  and 
close  the  service.  For  some  time  the  whole  congregation  in 
dulged  in  roars  of  laughter,  until  a  good  brother,  taking  in 
the  situation,  stepped  into  the  pulpit  and  pronounced  the 
benediction.  On  another  occasion,  as  Father  Thatcher  was 
walking  along  the  street,  through  the  open  door  of  a  comfor 
table  home  he  saw  a  good  mother  and  daughters  sitting  sew 
ing.  He  walked  in,  and  they  arose  to  greet  him,  but,  with 
out  going  through  any  ceremony,  he  dropped  on  his  knees, 


22  REMINISCENCES  OF 

saying:  "Let  us  pray."  In  kneeling,  he  turned  around  so 
that  his  face  was  toward  the  door.  The  family  hurried  to 
get  on  their  knees.  While  he  was  praying  fervently  for  them, 
opening  his  eyes  and  looking  out  of  the  door,  he  saw  a  per 
son  passing  whom  he  wished  to  engage  to  do  some  work  at 
the  church.  Calling  him  by  name,  he  said,  "Hold  on  there, 
I  want  to  see  you,"  and,  suiting  the  action  to  the  word,  went 
out  at  the  door  and  walked  down  the  street  with  him.  He 
did  not  finish  his  prayer,  or  again  return,  but  left  the  family 
as  much  amazed  at  his  abrupt  departure  as  they  had  been  at 
his  call.  Often,  when  his  family  were  not  on  the  lookout  to 
tell  him  to  come  into  the  house  on  his  return  from  appoint 
ments  on  his  circuit,  he  would  sit  for  hours  in  his  buggy  in 
front  of  his  own  door,  where  his  faithful  old  gray  had  halted, 
absorbed  in  his  Bible,  oblivious  to  sunshine  or  storm,  or  to 
where  he  was.  Once  he  lost  his  pocket-knife,  which  he  used 
continually  to  sharpen  his  pencil,  with  which  he  made  copious 
notes  on  the  fly-leaves  and  margins  of  the  books  or  Bible  he 
happened  to  be  reading.  In  closing  his  sermon  one  day  with 
the  following  favorite  stanza: 

"  Refining  fire  go  through  my  soul, 

Scatter  thy  life  through  every  part 
And  sanctify  the  whole," 

he  called  out  with  almost  the  same  breath:  "If  any  of  you 
have  found  a  six-bladed  penknife,  it  is  mine,  and  I  hope  you 
will  bring  it  to  me." 

He  always  stopped  with  some  member  of  his  congregation 
in  making  his  rounds.  He  appeared  at  the  hour  he  chose, 
without  any  previous  notice,  announcing  the  moment  of  his 
arrival  that  he  was  hungry,  or  otherwise,  and  the  hour  he 
was  due  at  the  church,  so  that  his  host  would  know  what  he 
expected.  His  wonderful  ability  and  marvellous  understand 
ing  of  the  Scriptures  drew  about  him  large  congregations  of 
interested  listeners. 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  23 

The  great  debate  between  Campbell  and  Rice  made  the 
deepest  impression  upon  the  whole  country,  and  caused  a 
division  in  the  Baptist  denomination,  and  the  organization 
of  the  Campbellite  Baptist  Church.  Of  this  there  were  very 
many  adherents  in  southern  Illinois,  my  mother  and  father 
being  among  the  number.  In  fact,  at  one  time  this  church 
had  many  communicants  in  Kentucky,  Illinois,  Indiana,  and 
Ohio.  President  Garfield  was  a  minister  of  that  branch  of 
the  Baptist  Church. 

The  ministrations  and  labors  of  these  early  Christian 
preachers  were  not  in  vain,  and  no  locality  in  any  State  has 
to-day  better  churches  or  more  devout  Christians  than  has 
that  section,  which  was  once  the  field  of  itinerants  and  with 
out  many  spires  pointing  heavenward. 

The  constant  demands  upon  old  and  young  for  manual 
labor  left  little  time  for  the  schools;  therefore  no  attempt  to 
have  schools  more  than  a  few  months  in  the  year  was  made. 
They  were,  however,  public-spirited  people,  and  southern  Il 
linois  came  in  for  her  share  of  teachers  sent  out  by  the  gov 
ernor  of  Massachusetts  at  the  request  of  the  Western  States  in 
the  early  fifties.  I  owe  a  debt  of  gratitude  to  one  of  them  for 
her  faithful  training  when  I  was  very  young.  The  august 
"Board"  who  examined  these  teachers  were  the  finest  speci 
mens  of  the  " broad  and  comprehensive"  type  so  graphically 
described  by  Mark  Twain.  Miss  C.  amused  my  good-natured 
father  excessively  by  a  description  of  her  experience  before  the 
"School  Board."  Among  other  things  I  remember  she  was 
asked :  "Which  is  the  largest  river  in  the  world?  "  To  this  she 
replied:  "The  Amazon."  Her  interrogator  frowned  severely 
upon  her,  and  asked:  "Miss,  what  are  you  gwine  to  do  with 
the  Massassippi?"  With  consummate  tact  she  quickly  said: 
"I  beg  your  pardon,  I  misunderstood  your  question.  If  you 
asked  which  is  the  largest  river  in  the  United  States,  the 
Mississippi,  of  course,  and  I  am  obliged  for  your  kindness  in 
correcting  me."  His  vanity  was  satisfied,  and  she  was  voted 


24  REMINISCENCES  OF 

the  school,  but  not  without  another  poser  from  one  of  the 
profound  gentlemen.  "Miss,  is  there  anything  impossible 
with  God?"  She  replied:  " Nothing."  He  rejoined:  "Well, 
now,  I  would  like  to  know  how  God  or  anybody  else  could 
put  two  mountains  side  by  side  without  a  valley  between 
them!"  She  was  warned  not  to  "waste  all  your  time  over 
your  books  and  a-larnin'  the  children,  but  get  some  of  the 
wimmen  where  you  stay  to  learn  you  to  cook,  and  how  to  do 
something  useful."  She  was  a  bright,  pretty  girl  of  twenty,  of 
just  the  spirit  to  be  thrown  among  these  good-hearted  people; 
and,  before  the  term  was  out,  she  had  captured  the  affections 
of  every  one,  and  was  regarded  as  a  veritable  Minerva,  not 
only  by  her  pupils,  but  by  everybody  with  whom  she  came 
in  contact.  She  was  the  leader  in  all  amusements  and  every 
thing  which  tended  to  improve  and  cultivate  the  people. 
After  a  few  years  of  effective  work,  she  married  one  of  the 
leading  physicians  of  the  community,  and  reared  an  inter 
esting  family  who  are  much  beloved  because  of  their  mother. 
There  were  ambitious  parents  who  sent  their  children  away 
from  home  to  school  or  employed  teachers  from  the  East  to 
reside  in  the  family  and  train  the  children.  I  have  thought 
sometimes  that  these  children  with  poor  advantages  accom 
plished  more  than  some  of  the  children  of  the  present,  who 
have  had  "education  made  easy."  A  people  so  heroic  have 
kept  pace  with  the  march  of  time,  and  to-day  every  facility 
is  offered  for  education  in  that  community.  Fine  school- 
houses  and  good  normal-school  teachers  are  in  every  school 
district,  their  average  scholarship  being  second  to  none  in 
any  of  the  States.  They  have  nobly  borne  their  part  in  car 
rying  the  burdens  of  church  and  state.  On  their  country's 
roll  of  honor  there  are  many  familiar  names  of  my  youthful 
companions  who,  notwithstanding  the  vicissitudes  and  em 
barrassments  that  attended  their  earlier  years,  have  arisen 
to  distinction  and  leadership  among  the  men  and  women  of 
their  day  and  generation.  Magnificent,  up-to-date  school- 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  25 

houses,  with  all  the  modern  appliances  for  the  various  de 
partments,  have  taken  the  place  of  the  log  schoolhouses, 
with  the  cracks  between  the  logs  chinked  with  pieces  of  wood 
and  plastered  over  with  mortar  or  clay,  to  keep  out  the  cold 
in  winter.  The  puncheon  floors  have  been  relegated  to  the 
wood-pile,  to  be  succeeded  by  hardwood  or  tile  floors.  Fine 
desks,  with  chairs  attached,  have  succeeded  the  puncheon 
benches,  relieving  the  children  from  the  agony  of  sitting  on 
high,  backless  benches,  with  their  feet  dangling  inches  above 
the  floor.  On  dark  days,  and  in  the  evenings  when  lectures 
or  entertainments  are  given,  electricity  or  gas  floods  the  school 
room  with  light,  displacing  the  " tallow  dips"  and  oil-lamps 
which  were  so  inadequate  that  there  was  no  alternative  but 
to  dismiss  the  school  if  the  clouds  obscured  the  sun. 

Many  ambitious  students  of  that  time  did  as  Mr.  Lincoln 
did — gathered  up  old  boards  and  pieces  of  wood  which  had 
resinous  deposits,  saving  them  carefully  to  burn  judiciously 
in  a  fireplace,  thus  furnishing  light  by  which  to  see  to  read 
at  night.  It  was  no  uncommon  thing  to  see  grown  men  and 
women  lying  flat  on  the  floor  to  enable  them  to  see  by  the 
blaze  of  the  burning  boards. 

The  majority  were  unable  to  read  and  write,  some  learning 
to  write  their  signatures  by  copying  them  repeatedly — after 
they  had  been  written  for  them — until  they  could  sign  their 
names  to  important  documents.  One  dear  old  man  by  the 
name  of  Harper,  who  was  quite  wealthy,  accomplished  this 
feat,  though  he  knew  no  other  letters  of  the  alphabet.  Soon 
afterward  he  was  asked  by  a  friend  to  indorse  his  note,  which 
he  did.  His  friend  defaulted  on  the  note  and  Mr.  Harper 
had  to  pay  it.  He  was  much  outraged,  and  declared  he  was 
sorry  he  ever  learned  to  write  his  name,  and  he  could  never 
be  induced  to  write  it  again  for  fear  of  incurring  obligations, 
saying  he  preferred  to  make  his  "mark." 


CHAPTER  II 

THE   WAR   WITH   MEXICO  —  MY   FATHER   ENLISTS   FOR   THE   WAR  — 
ELECTED     CAPTAIN    OF     HIS    COMPANY  —  ENCOUNTERS    YOUNG 
LIEUTENANT  JOHN  A.  LOGAN  —  AN  INTIMACY  FORMED  AT  ONCE 

—  CROSSING    THE    GREAT    AMERICAN    DESERT  —  TOO    LATE  FOR 

THE  WAR  —  FATHER'S  THREE  YEARS  IN  CALIFORNIA  —  i  AM 

SENT  TO  BOARDING-SCHOOL  IN  KENTUCKY  —  THE  SISTERS  AND 

THE  SLAVES  —  GIRLISH  ESCAPADES  —  VACATION  EMPLOYMENTS 

—  GRADUATION  —  MARRIAGE    AT    SEVENTEEN    TO    PROSECU 
TING  ATTORNEY  LOGAN,  TWELVE  YEARS  MY  SENIOR  —  THE  WED 
DING  —  REMOVAL  TO  BENTON  —  EARLY  HOUSEKEEPING  —  "  FAIR 
WEEK"  —  EXPERT  EQUESTRIENNES  —  BIRTH  OF  MY  TWO  ELD 
EST  CHILDREN  AND  DEATH  OF  MY  FIRST-BORN 

THE  Mexican  War  of  1847-8  afforded  many  an  opportunity 
to  prove  their  patriotism  and  give  vent  to  their  adventurous 
inclinations.  Communication  with  Washington  was  very  lim 
ited,  but  when  it  was  found  that  volunteers  were  called  for, 
as  war  had  been  declared  with  Mexico,  astonishing  numbers 
rushed  into  the  towns  to  try  to  get  on  the  rolls.  I  can  just 
remember  seeing  my  father  borne  aloft  above  the  heads  of 
the  men  who  elected  him  captain  of  the  company.  He  had 
enlisted  to  serve  three  years,  or  until  peace  was  declared. 
He  had  been  sheriff  of  the  county,  and  probably  was  the  most 
popular  man  in  Williamson  County.  The  moment  he  an 
nounced  his  intention  of  going  many  more  than  he  could 
enroll  volunteered  to  go  with  him.  The  town  of  Marion, 
where  we  lived,  was  on  that  day  thronged  with  people.  As 
soon  as  the  roster  of  a  company  was  complete  the  men  elected 
my  father  captain  by  acclamation.  They  seized  him,  and,  to 
the  music  of  a  fife  and  drum,  they  hoisted  him  above  their 
heads,  and  carried  him  around  the  court-house,  shouting  and 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  27 

huzzaing,  regardless  of  his  attempts  to  be  put  down.  I  re 
member  how,  on  hearing  the  noise  and  music,  my  mother 
went  to  the  door.  Seeing  father  in  his  elevated  position,  she 
knew  what  it  all  meant  and  began  to  cry,  while  we  children 
gazed  wild-eyed,  first  at  father  and  then  at  mother's  tearful 
face,  wondering  what  it  was  all  about.  As  soon  as  father 
could  get  away,  he  came  home  to  tell  mother  he  was  going 
to  Mexico.  All  was  commotion  in  the  home  for  many  days 
following.  Father's  company  was  made  Company  B,  ist 
Regiment,  Illinois  Infantry  Volunteers.  He  was  ordered  to 
march  his  company  to  Alton,  Illinois,  where  the  regiment  was 
to  rendezvous.  I  shall  never  forget  the  pathetic  scenes  which 
occurred  the  day  they  left  Marion  to  begin  their  long  march, 
which  ended  in  Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico.  The  wives,  daugh 
ters,  and  sweethearts  of  the  one  hundred  and  ten  men  came 
into  town  to  say  their  good-bys.  The  morning  was  spent  in 
the  final  preparations.  After  a  twelve-o'clock  dinner,  at  the 
sound  of  the  drum  and  fife,  the  men  stepped  in  line,  and  at 
father's  command,  "Forward,  march!"  they  moved  off  like 
veteran  soldiers,  leaving  aching  hearts  and  tearful  eyes  behind 
them. 

Arriving  at  Alton,  father  found  his  old  friend  and  legislative 
colleague,  Captain  Hampton,  of  Jackson  County,  in  command 
of  Company  H  of  the  ist  Regiment.  Father's  men  were  from 
the  counties  adjoining  Williamson.  Captain  Hampton's  first 
lieutenant  was  John  A.  Logan,  of  Jackson  County.  My 
father  was  extremely  fond  of  young  Logan,  as  he  was  full  of 
fun,  of  a  genial  disposition,  brave  as  a  lion,  and  delighted  in 
adventure.  An  intimacy  soon  sprang  up  between  my  father 
and  the  young  officers,  especially  young  Logan,  which  grew 
stronger  when,  years  after  their  return,  Lieutenant  Logan 
demanded  that  father  should  redeem  his  promise  to  give  me 
to  him  as  his  bride. 

I  have  often  heard  father  and  General  Logan  give  thrilling 
accounts  of  their  experiences  in  crossing  the  Great  American 


23  REMINISCENCES  OF 

Desert  on  foot;  of  being  chased  by  the  Indians,  the  tortures 
of  hunger,  their  devouring  thirst  while  marching  along  the 
banks  of  the  alkali  streams,  the  waters  of  which  they  dared 
not  drink.  They  were  both  deeply  grieved  that  they  did  not 
reach  their  destination  until  too  late  to  participate  in  any  of 
the  engagements  of  the  Mexican  War. 

They  had  returned  but  a  short  time  before  the  marvellous 
stories  of  the  discovering  of  gold  in  California  were  started. 
Desirous  of  further  adventure,  many  of  those  who  had  been 
to  Mexico  were  wild  to  repeat  their  long  march  across  the 
plains  to  California,  my  father  among  them.  In  the  early 
spring  of  1849  these  daring  spirits  again  assembled  at  Alton, 
Illinois,  to  join  an  overland  train  for  Sacramento,  California. 

The  season  was  dry,  and  the  grass  was  very  scarce  and  un 
usually  short;  hence  but  one- third  of  the  party  and  but  very 
few  of  the  animals  survived  the  three  months  they  spent  in 
making  the  long  journey.  The  graves  of  their  comrades 
marked  the  route  they  had  taken  over  the  Rocky  Mountains 
and  across  the  trackless  desert.  Then  followed  another  three 
months  of  waiting  before  my  father's  letters  reached  us.  I  can 
to  this  day  in  imagination  hear  the  sound  of  the  long  horn  the 
stage-driver  used  to  blow  as  he  entered  our  town  at  the  mid 
night  hour  twice  a  week.  An  old  friend  was  postmaster,  and 
would  always  open  the  mail  to  see  if  there  were  letters  from 
California.  I  was  then  but  twelve  years  of  age,  and  yet  at  the 
first  sound  of  the  horn,  in  moonlight  or  darkness,  I  would 
rush  out  and  never  stop  running  till  I  reached  the  post-office, 
which  was  the  residence  of  the  postmaster.  Sometimes  I 
used  to  be  almost  frightened  out  of  my  wits  by  the  bluff  old 
driver,  who  would  insist  upon  talking  to  me.  In  winter  he 
wore  an  overcoat  made  of  buffalo-skins  and,  to  my  childish 
eyes,  looked  as  terrible  as  that  animal.  After  weeks  and 
months  of  anxiety  and  disappointment,  at  last  the  postmaster 
handed  me  letters  for  mother  and  myself.  It  seemed  to  me 
I  never  ran  so  swiftly  before.  Mother  was  almost  overcome, 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  29 

as  she  read  page  after  page  of  father's  graphic  stories  of  all 
that  had  taken  place  since  he  left  us;  of  his  disappointments 
and  successes;  of  the  legions  of  seekers  after  gold  from  every 
country  on  the  globe;  of  his  longing  to  return  home  and  his 
tender  messages  to  us  children.  No  such  long  intervals  be 
tween  his  letters  again  occurred,  as  the  mails  from  California 
subsequently  came  by  sea  around  the  Horn.  He  remained 
two  and  a  half  years,  reaching  home  in  1853,  soon  after 
Franklin  Pierce's  inauguration. 

Shortly  after  father's  return  home  he  was  appointed  by  Presi 
dent  Pierce  registrar  of  the  land  office  at  Shawneetown,  Illi 
nois.  It  was  an  important  appointment,  on  account  of  the 
passage  by  Congress  of  the  "Bit  Act,"  which  meant  that  ac 
tual  settlers  inside  the  radius  of  the  district  of  which  Shaw 
neetown  was  the  headquarters  could  enter  one  hundred  and 
sixty  acres  of  land,  at  twelve  and  one-half  cents  per  acre.  As 
the  time  was  limited  for  such  entries,  it  was  necessary  for 
father  to  assume  the  duties  of  the  office  as  soon  as  possible. 
We  removed  to  Shawneetown,  and  father  opened  the  land  office 
on  the  first  floor  of  the  large  house  he  was  able  to  secure  as  a 
residence.  It  was  on  the  main  street,  which  ran  along  the 
banks  of  the  Ohio  River.  He  had  little  leisure  from  his  first 
day  as  registrar. 

The  question  as  to  where  I  was  to  be  sent  to  school  was 
soon  settled.  Father  took  me  to  Saint  Vincent's  Academy 
near  Morganfield,  Kentucky.  Saint  Vincent's  was  a  branch 
of  the  celebrated  Nazareth  Convent  of  Kentucky.  It  was 
then,  and  still  is,  one  of  the  best  schools  in  the  whole  coun 
try.  In  the  community  where  I  had  always  lived  there  were 
few  Catholics,  and  no  churches,  monks,  nuns,  or  priests.  I 
was  totally  ignorant  of  the  ceremonies  and  symbols  of  the 
church  and  of  the  significance  of  the  costumes  worn  by  the 
priests  and  nuns,  and  had  consequently  much  to  learn  that  was 
not  in  the  curriculum  of  the  school.  I  was  in  my  fifteenth 
year,  but  had  had  more  experience  in  the  realities  of  life  than 


30  REMINISCENCES  OF 

many  older  girls  on  account  of  being  the  eldest  of  a  large  fam 
ily,  for  whom  mother  and  I  had  to  care  during  father's 
absence  in  Mexico,  and  subsequently  in  California. 

I  can  never  forget  the  tremor  which  seized  me  when  father 
and  I  entered  the  convent  grounds.  I  saw  the  nuns  walking 
about  in  their  flaring  white  caps  of  the  Order  of  Saint  Vin 
cent's,  and  their  sombre  black  gowns.  The  priest,  Father  Dur- 
bin,  was  in  his  garden,  walking  up  and  down  bareheaded,  say 
ing  his  prayers.  The  church  was  built  in  the  form  of  a  cross, 
and  was  gray  with  age.  One  arm  of  the  cross  was  the  convent 
and  the  other  Father  Durbin's  home  and  study.  The  large 
cross  over  the  front  apex  impressed  me  as  being  probably  the 
one  upon  which  our  Saviour  was  crucified.  Under  the  inter 
lacing  branches  of  the  grand  old  trees  we  walked  up  to  the 
entrance  of  the  convent,  my  limbs  shaking  with  fright.  For 
once  I  was  silent,  as  I  could  not  have  spoken  had  my 
life  depended  upon  it.  The  bars  and  grates  of  the  doors 
and  windows  suggested  incarceration  to  my  unsophisticated 
mind. 

In  answer  to  father's  ring  the  angelic  face  of  a  sister  ap 
peared  at  the  little  grated  panel  in  the  door,  and,  upon  father's 
announcing  his  name,  she  quickly  unlocked  the  door  and  in 
vited  us  into  the  parlor.  Under  the  influence  of  her  gentle 
manner  and  the  immaculate  appointment  of  the  room,  to 
gether  with  the  bright  wood-fire  in  the  fireplace,  I  began  to 
feel  less  frightened.  After  seating  us,  the  sister  withdrew  to 
call  the  sister  superior.  Before  Sister  Isabella  came  in,  I  had 
scanned  the  pictures  of  Christ  on  the  Cross,  Saint  Anthony, 
and  other  saints  on  the  walls;  admired  the  pretty  rag  carpet, 
old  mahogany  furniture,  and  literally  everything  in  the  parlor, 
down  to  the  fine  old  brass  andirons  and  fender.  In  a  few 
moments  Sister  Isabella  came  in.  She  was  short  and  very 
stout,  had  a  jolly  face,  and  the  cordial  greeting  so  important 
in  a  mother  superior.  She  drew  me  close  to  her,  and,  in  a 
voice  of  tenderness,  welcomed  me  as  one  of  her  girls.  I  soon 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  31 

forgot  my  terror,  and  thought  her  cap  and  gown  especially 
becoming  to  her. 

After  luncheon  father  completed  all  the  arrangements  for 
my  remaining  for  the  school  year  of  nine  months  and  took 
his  leave,  while  I,  with  tearful  eyes,  was  led  by  Sister  Isa 
bella  into  the  convent  proper,  and  introduced  to  some  of  the 
older  girls,  who  acted  as  hostesses  to  the  new  arrivals.  At 
first  I  was  very  homesick,  but  soon  forgot  my  unhappiness 
surrounded  by  light-hearted  companions  and  the  good,  kind 
sisters  who  were  ever  ready  to  comfort  and  cajole  the  home 
sick  and  unhappy. 

To  have  any  idea  of  the  conditions  at  Saint  Vincent's  in 
1854-5,  it  would  be  necessary  to  turn  back  the  leaves  of  time 
for  more  than  fifty  years,  and  to  realize  that  scarcely  a  single 
advantage  which  the  pupils  at  Saint  Vincent's  now  enjoy 
then  existed.  We  were  literally  pioneers,  and  the  opportuni 
ties  we  had  were  of  the  most  primitive  character;  but,  under 
lying  them  all  was  the  lovely  spirit  of  devotion,  purity,  and 
tenderness  of  the  dear  sisters,  which  made  the  simplest  exer 
cises  beautiful  and  attractive. 

In  those  days  we  had  the  cabins  of  the  slaves  in  the  rear 
of  the  main  buildings  of  the  school.  I  remember  very  dis 
tinctly  some  of  the  pranks  in  which  Sallie  Cotton,  the 
Van  Landinghams,  the  Cunninghams,  the  Lunsfords,  the 
Spauldings,  Annie  Casey,  Mollie  Poole,  Josie  Goddard,  Mary 
Kuykendall,  myself,  and  a  host  of  happy,  unaffected,  sweet 
girls  indulged.  We  used  to  take  our  finery  and  deck  out  the 
pickaninnies  and  mammies  in  harlequin  colors,  and  enjoyed 
seeing  them  sally  forth  to  attend  parties,  religious  meetings, 
and  to  make  visits  among  their  colored  friends. 

Memory  brings  back  incidents  in  the  lives  of  these  slaves 
that  are  as  vivid  as  if  I  had  witnessed  them  yesterday.  Nearly, 
if  not  all,  of  the  negroes  belonged  to  the  slaveholders  in  the 
neighborhood.  Among  them  was  Uncle  Harry,  the  overseer's 
best  hand  on  the  big  farm  connected  with  the  convent.  His 


32  REMINISCENCES  OF 

wife,  Aunt  Agnes,  was  the  head  cook  for  the  girls.  We  all 
loved  Aunt  Agnes,  who  slipped  many  dainties  to  her  favorites. 
She  and  Uncle  Harry  had  four  or  five  little  children.  Her  old 
master  died,  and  the  sons  who  inherited  the  slaves  were  reck 
less.  They  sold  Aunt  Agnes  to  some  "  slave- traders/'  who 
visited  that  part  of  Kentucky,  picking  up  " likely  niggers"  to 
take  them  to  the  New  Orleans  market.  Great  excitement 
followed.  Uncle  Harry  rebelled;  the  sisters  pleaded  with  the 
buyers  to  let  them  keep  her,  but  they  heeded  nothing.  They 
came  with  a  sort  of  grocery  wagon,  seized  Aunt  Agnes,  tied, 
and  bore  her  away.  She  fought  them  like  a  tigress  and 
screamed  as  loud  as  she  could.  The  children  screamed  and 
cried  so  that  the  girls  discovered  what  was  going  on,  and,  be 
fore  the  sisters  could  stop  them,  they  rushed  out  to  rescue 
Aunt  Agnes.  Seeing  them  come  pell-mell,  the  brutal  men 
grabbed  hold  of  her  and  tried  to  bandage  her  mouth.  The 
sisters  could  not  bear  to  hear  her  cries,  and  they,  too,  joined 
in  the  pleas  for  mercy  for  the  poor,  innocent  creature  who 
was  being  torn  away  from  her  husband  and  family.  The  men 
ordered  the  driver  to  whip  up  the  horses,  and  they  galloped 
away,  Agnes's  piteous  cries  reaching  us  above  the  clatter  of 
the  horses'  feet.  Sister  Isabella  led  us  into  the  church  to 
pray  for  Agnes,  while  the  tears  were  streaming  down  the 
cheeks  of  sisters  and  girls. 

Uncle  Harry  was  never  the  same.  He  was  sullen  and  in 
subordinate  to  the  overseer,  who,  he  thought,  had  something 
to  do  with  the  sale  of  Agnes.  Soon  afterward  he  and  the 
overseer  had  some  trouble  over  something  which  the  over 
seer  had  ordered  Uncle  Harry  to  do.  The  overseer  struck 
Uncle  Harry  with  a  blacksnake  whip,  whereupon  Uncle 
Harry  went  at  the  overseer  with  an  axe,  and  came  near  de 
capitating  him.  From  being  one  of  the  most  docile,  respect 
ful  negroes,  Uncle  Harry  had  become  a  veritable  demon. 
Hearing  the  melee,  Sister  Isabella  ran  out  to  try  to  restrain 
Harry.  He  told  her  to  go  into  the  house;  that  he  would  not 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  33 

touch  her,  but  he  must  be  let  alone.  Our  classroom  was 
near  Sister  Isabella's  office  and  study,  and,  hearing  the  loud 
talking,  we  ran  out  to  see  what  the  trouble  was.  I  can  never 
forget  what  a  very  demon  incarnate  Uncle  Harry  looked,  as 
he  stood  there  in  a  threatening  attitude,  every  muscle  tense, 
and  his  wild  eyes  on  the  alert  for  a  sight  of  the  overseer.  We 
were,  of  course,  frightened,  but  knew  Uncle  Harry  would 
do  anything  for  us  because  of  our  kindness  to  "Aggie,"  as 
he  called  his  wife.  Two  or  three  of  us  walked  up  to  him,  and, 
taking  hold  of  his  hands,  led  him  to  his  cabin,  promising  him 
that  we  would  get  Sister  Isabella  and  Father  Durbin  to  send 
the  overseer  away.  We  bathed  his  old  black  back  with  warm 
water,  and  Sister  Genevieve  brought  soft  linen  cloths  and 
soothing  lotions  to  bind  up  the  wounds  made  by  the  whip. 
Sister  Isabella  persuaded  him  to  go  to  bed  and  stay  in  his 
cabin  all  day.  The  overseer  was  glad  enough  to  take 
flight,  and  quiet  was  restored. 

We  engaged  in  frolics  like  most  boys  and  girls  who  go 
away  from  home  to  school.  Three  or  four  of  us  used  to  take 
chances;  sometimes  they  were  rather  hazardous.  One  of  the 
graduates  of  my  first  year  at  school  married  during  vacation 
and  was  a  widow  before  we  returned  to  school  in  September, 
her  husband  having  been  killed  by  an  accident.  She  was  a 
devout  Catholic;  he  a  Protestant,  and  could  not,  therefore, 
be  buried  in  the  consecrated  ground  of  the  cemetery  which 
was  near  the  church.  The  cemetery  was  enclosed  by  a  zig 
zag  fence,  and  she  had  him  buried  in  one  of  the  outside  corners 
of  the  fence.  They  made  a  rail  pen  over  his  grave.  We 
Protestant  girls  thought  it  a  shame  that  he  should  be  outside, 
so,  one  night  when  we  thought  Father  Durbin  was  away  visit 
ing  the  churches  under  his  jurisdiction,  we  went  up  to  the 
cemetery.  Taking  the  rails  that  made  the  pen,  we  added 
another  panel,  which  let  the  poor  fellow's  grave  inside  the 
sacred  grounds.  We  were  mistaken  about  Father  Durbin's 
being  away,  and,  in  the  morning,  going  out  to  walk,  he  dis- 


34  REMINISCENCES  OF 

covered  what  had  been  done.  He  instituted  an  investiga 
tion,  determined  to  punish  the  perpetrators  of  such  an  out 
rage.  He  counted  without  his  host,  and  failed  to  find  the 
culprits.  He  became  satisfied  the  negroes  did  not  do  the  mis 
chief,  but  never  thought  of  accusing  the  girls  and  finally  con 
cluded  that  it  was  the  work  of  heretics,  of  whom  there  were 
many  in  the  community.  He  made  the  negroes  take  down 
our  fence  and  restore  the  pen  over  the  outsider's  grave.  We 
kept  still  and  escaped  suspicion,  waiting  for  an  auspicious  oc 
casion  to  repeat  the  adventure.  One  Saturday  night  we  again 
extended  the  fence  and  took  the  grave  inside.  Sunday  morn 
ing  when  the  people  came  to  early  mass  and  saw  what  had 
been  done  they  were  highly  indignant,  and  were  sure  the 
Protestants  in  the  neighborhood  had  done  the  shocking  deed. 
Members  of  the  congregation  turned  detectives,  and  senti 
nels  were  posted  to  watch  for  the  marauders.  We  were  afraid 
to  attempt  our  experiment  again,  and  were,  therefore,  obliged 
to  let  our  friend's  husband  continue  his  eternal  sleep  in  un 
hallowed  ground.  Years  afterward  I  confessed  to  Father 
Durbin  who  the  heretics  were,  and  the  dear  old  man  insisted 
he  suspected  us  all  the  time ;  but,  as  we  were  pretty  good  girls 
with  all  our  faults,  he  granted  us  absolution.  The  sisters  were 
shocked;  but,  as  we  had  all  turned  out  very  well,  they  par 
doned  us,  but  prayed  us  never  to  tell  that  we  could  do  such 
a  thing  with  one  of  them  watching  over  us  all  the  time. 

I  remember  that  on  one  May-day  all  the  girls  got  them 
selves  up  in  their  best  clothes  and  escorted  Sister  Isabella  to 
quite  a  high  place  up  in  the  forest  opposite  the  academy. 
Here  we  had  built  a  throne,  and,  putting  her  on  it,  we  crowned 
her  the  " Queen  of  the  May"  with  so  much  enjoyment  that 
we  were  all  extremely  happy.  I  can  picture  now  how  she 
looked  sitting  on  her  green  throne  in  her  uniform.  A  crown 
of  flowers  decked  her  cap,  and  a  long  rope  of  flowers  hung 
around  her  neck  and  about  her  unsylphlike  waist,  with  long 
ends  hanging  down  the  sides.  We  had  made  her  a  sceptre 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  35 

by  twining  flowers  around  a  stick.  This  she  wielded  with 
much  dexterity,  directing  the  rendering  of  the  programme  of 
songs,  recitations,  and  original  poems,  which  we  had  prepared 
for  the  occasion.  Sue  Fletcher  was  a  born  poetess  and  had 
written  a  long  poem  which  caused  much  merriment  among 
us;  Sister  Isabella  laughed  as  heartily  over  it  as  any  of  the 
girls.  After  sundown,  we  escorted  her  with  mock  solemnity 
back  to  the  refectory,  where  she  had  ordered  for  us  a  lovely 
supper.  It  was  truly  a  happy  May-day. 

We  used  to  exercise  by  taking  long  walks  in  the  woods; 
in  the  spring  gathering  flowers,  in  the  fall  gathering  nuts. 
We  hoarded  up  large  quantities  of  nuts  for  the  winter,  as 
well  as  pop-corn  and  apples.  We  had  many  feasts  on  holi 
days  and  on  stormy  days,  when  we  were  not  allowed  to  go 
out.  We  popped  the  corn,  roasted  the  apples,  cracked  the 
nuts,  and  spent  our  time  in  feasting.  These  refreshments 
were  often  served  at  our  impromptu  dances  on  Saturday 
night,  when  Uncle  Harry  and  his  friend  Jim  played  the  riddle 
for  the  girls  to  dance.  We  passed  around  the  hat,  and,  I 
think,  paid  them  the  munificent  sum  of  fifty  cents  apiece  for 
music  furnished  for  an  evening's  entertainment.  Of  course, 
we  never  danced  until  the  "wee  sma'  hours,"  as  they  do  in 
the  present  day,  because  taps  were  sounded  not  later  than 
ten-thirty.  Soon  after  the  lights  were  out,  and  we  were  fast 
asleep,  as  few  of  us  had  any  cares  or  anxieties  to  keep  us 
awake  after  retiring. 

I  often  recall  the  long  dormitory  with  our  beds  side  by 
side,  and  dear  Sister  Lucy  at  the  end  with  her  bed,  table,  and 
books,  curtained  off  by  white  curtains.  She  was  always  within 
call  of  the  girls  of  the  dormitory.  We  were  not  saints,  and 
we  gave  the  dear  sisters  a  good  deal  of  trouble,  like  all  mis 
chievous,  healthy,  active  girls  have  done  since  Mother  Eve 
created  a  disturbance  in  the  Garden  of  Eden. 

Transportation  being  very  difficult  in  those  days,  many  of 
us  spent  our  holidays  at  the  academy,  and  employed  our  time 


36  REMINISCENCES  OF 

in  embroidering,  knitting,  repairing  our  clothes,  and  some 
times  in  feasting  and  dancing.  We  were  allowed  to  go  into 
the  parlor  to  be  introduced  to  the  parents  of  the  girls  who 
came  to  visit  them,  and  on  these  occasions  we  were  coached 
as  to  the  manner  of  entering  the  room,  saluting  the  guests, 
and  how  to  withdraw  without  betraying  awkwardness.  Sis 
ter  Isabella  gave  us  periodical  lectures,  especially  if  any  of  the 
girls  had  been  guilty  of  violation  of  the  rules  of  the  academy. 
We  used  to  enjoy  the  Sundays.  After  service  we  would  go 
out  on  the  lawn  or  to  the  window  to  watch  the  people  who 
came  to  church  at  Saint  Vincent's.  Some  of  them  were  on 
horseback,  some  on  foot,  and  others  in  every  conceivable 
kind  of  vehicle  of  those  early  days.  I  remember,  as  if  it  had 
occurred  yesterday,  the  visit  of  Bishop  Spaulding  and  the  great 
" to-do"  that  we  made  of  his  coming  to  Saint  Vincent's.  We 
all  kissed  his  ring,  and  thought  it  was  the  greatest  event  of 
our  lives.  He  of  course  made  an  address,  which  is  supposed 
to  have  had  a  great  influence  over  us,  but  I  am  afraid  we  did 
not  remember  long  the  many  injunctions  he  laid  upon  us. 

In  those  halcyon  days,  in  addition  to  our  studies  and  school 
drudgery,  girls  of  sixteen  and  upward  had  to  make  their  own 
clothes,  including  a  graduation  dress  of  sheer,  fine  muslin,  to 
gether  with  the  slip  to  wear  under  it.  All  this  was  made  by 
hand,  which  meant  many  hours  of  careful  sewing  after  school 
hours,  on  Saturdays  and  holidays  (forgive  the  term,  under 
such  circumstances).  They  not  only  had  to  make  their  own 
clothes,  but  had  to  assist  the  sisters  in  making  the  white  dresses 
for  the  ten  or  a  dozen  orphans  whom  the  sisters  had  on  their 
hands  to  clothe  and  educate.  Good-natured,  jolly  Sister  Su 
perior  Isabella  would  journey  by  water  to  Louisville,  Ken 
tucky,  to  buy  the  material  for  the  dresses,  together  with  many 
bolts  of  blue  ribbon  for  sashes  and  bow-knots,  which  every  girl 
was  obliged  to  wear  on  commencement  day.  This  was  the 
one  occasion  of  all  the  year  when  we  laid  aside  our  purple 
calico  and  white-apron  uniforms.  These,  on  May  i  annu- 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  37 

ally,  took  the  place  of  the  black  alpaca  ones  which  we  wore 
in  winter. 

The  last  few  days  before  graduation  day  were  bewildering 
with  the  multiplicity  of  things  that  had  to  be  done  at  the 
last  moment — final  recitations  for  the  elocutionists,  rehearsals 
for  the  musicians,  and  the  last  reading  of  compositions  which 
we  innocently  believed  would  startle  the  literary  world  if 
they  could  only  appear  in  print. 

I  recall  vividly  the  difficulties  we  had  in  preparing  our  final 
essays.  "Fame"  was  my  theme,  and,  as  I  read  it  a  year  or 
two  ago,  it  sounded  amateurish.  I  felt  very  proud  of  it 
then,  and  doubted  seriously  if  any  author  had  ever  writ 
ten  so  fine  a  production,  as,  after  Sister  Lucy  had  corrected 
it  many  times  and  I  had  rewritten  it,  incorporating  her  cor 
rections,  it  seemed  to  me  nothing  could  be  more  perfect.  I 
remember  the  difficulty  I  had  in  getting  a  quill  pen  and  se 
lecting  paper  that  was  good  enough,  on  which  to  inscribe  this 
wonderful  production.  When  completed,  the  essay  was  tied 
with  pink  ribbons,  and  every  one  was  kind  enough  to  say 
that  it  was  one  of  the  best.  In  the  more  than  fifty  years 
which  have  passed  since  I  struggled  over  that  composition 
I  have  discovered: 

"What  so  foolish  as  the  chase  of  fame? 
How  vain  the  prize!  how  impotent  our  aim! 
For,  what  are  men  who  grasp  at  praise  sublime, 
But  bubbles  floating  on  the  stream  of  time?" 

Memory  carries  me  back  to  that  bright  morning  in  June, 
1855,  when  our  class  graduated  from  dear  old  Saint  Vincent's, 
when  beneath  the  boughs  of  the  majestic  trees  of  the  lawn 
a  large  platform  had  been  erected  and  covered  with  a  bright- 
green  carpet.  A  fine  piano  was  on  one  side,  while  a  suitable 
place  was  arranged  for  the  bishop  and  priests  who  were  to 
distribute  the  diplomas,  medals,  and  prizes.  Seats  were  also 
arranged  for  the  parents  and  visitors  who  attended.  After  a 


38  REMINISCENCES  OF 

long  programme  of  music,  addresses,  giving  of  diplomas, 
awards,  and  a  benediction  by  the  bishop,  we  marched  to  the 
long  refectory,  where  a  sumptuous  repast  was  spread  and  en 
joyed  by  all. 

Trunks  and  belongings  had  all  been  packed,  and  we  were 
not  long  in  donning  our  travelling-dresses,  and  saying  good-by 
to  the  sisters  and  members  of  the  household  of  our  Alma 
Mater.  Youth  is  so  full  of  spirit  that  our  tears  were  soon 
dried,  and  we  were  all  happy  in  returning  to  our  homes  and 
friends,  to  begin  building  castles  in  the  air  for  the  future,  as 
girls  are  wont  to  do. 

During  my  absence  at  school  John  A.  Logan,  mentioned  as 
serving  in  the  same  regiment  with  my  father,  Captain  John 
M.  Cunningham,  of  the  ist  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  came 
to  Shawneetown,  Gallatin  County,  Illinois,  where  we  then 
resided.  He  was  the  prosecuting  attorney  of  the  third  judi 
cial  district,  and  was  obliged  to  attend  the  sessions  of  the  cir 
cuit  court.  He  was  not  long  in  renewing  his  acquaintance 
with  my  father,  or  in  reminding  father  that  he  still  expected 
him  to  redeem  his  promise,  made  while  they  were  soldiering 
in  Mexico,  to  give  Logan  his  daughter  Mary  in  marriage 
when  she  was  old  enough.  Soon  after  I  reached  home  father 
said  he  had  made  an  engagement  for  me  to  meet  young  Logan, 
who  was  coming  to  Shawneetown  to  make  a  visit  at  our  home. 
Having  many  young-men  friends  and  associates  of  my  own 
age,  it  never  occurred  to  me  that  any  one  was  likely  to  think 
of  me  seriously.  Believing  the  visit  to  be  intended  for  my 
father,  I  paid  little  attention  to  father's  message.  I  was 
therefore  greatly  surprised  when  Mr.  Logan  put  in  his  ap 
pearance,  and  assured  me  that  his  visit  was  intended  for  me. 
Though  but  seventeen,  I  began  to  realize  that  I  was  considered 
a  young  lady,  and  that  my  happy-go-lucky  days  were  over. 
Notwithstanding  the  fact  that  Prosecuting  Attorney  Logan 
had  to  travel  over  sixteen  counties  which  composed  the  judi 
cial  district,  every  two  weeks  found  him  in  Shawneetown  for 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  39 

a  stay  from  Saturday  noon  until  Sunday  night,  when  he  was 
obliged  to  leave  and  drive  all  night  over  very  bad  roads  to 
be  present  at  the  opening  of  court  on  Monday.  I  had  my 
share  of  attention  from  the  young  men  of  my  acquaintance, 
and  can  not  plead  that  I  was  indifferent  to  their  attentions. 
Consequently  I  was  not  infrequently  chided  by  father,  mother, 
and  Mr.  Logan  for  being  too  much  inclined  to  flirtation. 
However,  in  the  few  months  of  our  courtship,  we  had  a  very 
happy  time.  To  this  day  I  marvel  that  a  young  man  of 
Logan's  rare  ability,  ambition,  and  mature  years — he  being 
then  twenty-nine — should  hazard  his  career  by  marrying  a 
girl  of  seventeen. 

My  father  had  many  friends  in  different  parts  of  southern 
Illinois;  the  Logan  family  and  a  majority  of  young  Logan's 
friends  lived  at  a  great  distance  from  Shawneetown,  consid 
ering  the  facilities  for  travelling.  We  therefore  decided  we 
would  not  have  a  big  wedding,  which  in  those  days  must  be 
followed  by  a  round  of  festivities,  lasting  sometimes  a  fort 
night.  At  high  noon,  on  the  27th  of  November,  1855,  in  the 
presence  of  a  party  of  intimate  friends  and  a  number  of 
Logan's  associates  at  the  bar,  we  were  married  by  Hon.  W. 
K.  Parish,  judge  of  the  circuit  court  of  the  third  judicial  dis 
trict  of  Illinois.  After  a  bridal  breakfast,  accompanied  by 
Judge  Parish,  Hon.  W.  J.  Allen,  Mr.  Logan's  law  partner, 
Hon.  N.  C.  Crawford,  and  my  father,  we  departed  for  Ben- 
ton,  Franklin  County,  Illinois.  The  journey  was  made  in 
buggies,  two  persons  in  each.  The  roads  were  almost  impass 
able.  At  a  little  inn  on  the  way  to  Shawneetown,  in  the  small 
town  of  Equality,  distant  about  twelve  miles,  Mr.  Logan  had 
made  arrangements  for  the  night.  The  innkeeper  was  much 
elated  over  the  order  which  he  had  received,  and  he,  his  good 
wife,  and  their  assistants  had  been  very  busy  with  their  prepa 
rations  for  our  entertainment.  The  house,  with  all  of  its 
old-time  appointments,  was  in  perfect  order  when  we  arrived, 
at  about  eight  o'clock  in  the  evening.  The  room  to  which  my 


40  REMINISCENCES  OF 

husband  and  I  were  assigned  was  most  inviting,  with  its  can 
opied  bed  and  chintz  bed  and  window  curtains,  snow-white 
bedspread  and  pillows,  the  feather  bed  making  it  necessary 
to  have  a  pair  of  steps  like  those  you  see  at  Mount  Vernon, 
for  use  in  climbing  into  bed.  The  floor  was  covered  by  a 
pretty  rag  carpet,  the  toilet-table  and  dresser  having  fine  white 
linen  covers  on  them.  As  soon  as  we  had  removed  the  mud 
spatters,  and  made  hasty  toilets,  we  were  ushered  into  the 
dining-room,  where  a  feast  fit  for  the  gods  was  laid  on  the 
whitest  of  napery.  The  daintiest  of  cut  glass  and  china, 
which  had  been  handed  down  from  colonial  ancestors,  and 
choice  flowers,  adorned  the  table.  In  those  days  a  wedding 
or  the  entertainment  of  a  bride  and  groom  excited  intense 
interest;  hence  these  good  people  felt  they  must  bring  out 
their  most  valued  treasures  to  suitably  entertain  our  party. 
Many  of  the  townspeople  called  during  the  evening  to  extend 
congratulations  and  express  their  good  wishes.  Early  next 
morning  we  resumed  our  journey  to  Ben  ton,  which  was  to  be 
our  future  home. 

The  road  for  the  thirty-five-mile  drive  was  as  bad  as  it 
could  possibly  be.  The  weather  was  raw  and  cold,  and  we 
were  delighted  when,  led  by  Judge  Parish  and  Mr.  Crawford, 
we  entered  Judge  Parish's  hospitable  door  at  Benton,  Illinois. 
Judge  Parish  and  Mr.  Logan  were  very  intimate,  and  the 
Judge  and  his  lovely  wife  had  insisted  that  we  should  make 
our  home  with  them  until  we  should  establish  one  of  our  own. 
Mrs.  Parish  had  made  preparations  for  us,  and  a  large  com 
pany  had  been  invited  for  the  evening,  that  Mr.  Logan's 
friends  should  give  us  a  cordial  welcome.  I  soon  felt  quite 
at  home  with  the  people  whom  I  was  later  to  know  better, 
and  to  love  as  my  own  kindred.  We  remained  with  Judge 
and  Mrs.  Parish  for  a  few  days,  and  then  proceeded  in  a  one- 
horse  buggy  to  Murphysboro,  Jackson  County,  Illinois,  the 
home  of  Mr.  Logan's  mother.  Many  of  the  residents  of 
Murphysboro  were  relatives  of  the  Logan  family,  and  we 


ra 

$ 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  41 

had  a  very  cordial  reception,  and  were  much  entertained 
during  our  stay  with  Mother  Logan. 

Returning  to  Benton  we  remained  with  Judge  and  Mrs. 
Parish  until  our  home  was  ready  for  occupancy.  In  the 
meantime  my  father  and  mother  had  sent  our  household 
goods  to  Benton.  When  we  remember  that  everything  at 
that  time  was  transported  by  horses,  mules,  or  oxen,  we  can 
imagine  the  tedious  delays  which  frequently  ensued.  How 
ever,  before  the  holidays  we  were  ensconced  in  our  own  cot 
tage  and  began  life  together.  My  mother  had  sent  with  our 
goods  a  colored  " mammy,"  whom  we  called  Aunt  Betty. 
Aunt  Betty  was  to  be  our  maid  of  all  work,  and  but  for  her 
I  do  not  know  how  I  should  have  gotten  through  with  many 
domestic  trials,  as  I  was,  in  a  measure,  ignorant  of  the  details 
of  home  and  house  keeping.  Aunt  Betty  helped  me  out  in 
my  first  experiences;  but  there  being  no  colored  people  in 
Benton,  she  became,  in  time,  very  much  dissatisfied,  and  re 
turned  to  Shawneetown,  leaving  me  to  struggle  through 
emergencies  and  domestic  difficulties  that  multiplied  rapidly. 
Many  times  without  help,  and  with  no  confectioners,  market 
places,  or  groceries  to  which  I  could  resort  in  such  emergen 
cies,  I  was  obliged  to  draw  upon  my  friends  and  neighbors 
to  come  in  to  aid  me  in  the  preparation  of  a  meal  for  unex 
pected  guests.  As  I  discovered,  we  were  supposed  to  extend 
boundless  hospitality.  Visitors  and  friends  arrived  unan 
nounced,  coming  at  any  time  that  suited  their  convenience, 
without  inquiring  whether  or  not  it  was  agreeable  to  us. 
They  frequently  brought  children  with  them  as,  in  that  day, 
parents  rarely  had  any  one  with  whom  to  leave  their  charges 
when  they  wished  to  give  themselves  an  outing. 

These  unexpected  visitors  always  arrived  in  the  early  morn 
ing.  You  had  to  welcome  them  with  a  smiling  face,  notwith 
standing  the  fact  that  your  heart  might  sink  within  you.  By 
eleven  o'clock  you  had  to  go  to  your  kitchen  to  begin  prep 
arations  for  the  midday  meal,  the  menu  for  which  you  had 


42  REMINISCENCES  OF 

been  mentally  trying  to  arrange  from  the  moment  of  the 
arrival  of  your  unexpected  guests.  Fortunately,  they  were 
unconventional  and  followed  you  to  the  kitchen.  You  had 
to  keep  up  a  conversation  with  them,  while  you  endeavored 
to  think  what  it  was  possible  for  you  to  set  before  them  an 
hour  or  two  later.  Older  housekeepers  had  well-filled  larders, 
but  brides  like  myself  were  not  so  thoughtful,  and  often  found 
themselves  with  an  empty  pantry.  There  were  no  markets, 
caterers,  bakers,  or  greengrocers.  The  variety  stores  which 
carried  everything  from  a  pound  of  nails  to  lace  and  millinery, 
or  from  a  peck  of  onions  to  dried  beef  and  bacon,  never  had 
in  stock  what  you  wanted,  or  what  was  of  the  least  use  in 
emergencies.  In  such  cases  you  had  to  look  over  your  larder, 
through  the  smoke-house,  dairy,  or  garden — according  to  the 
season — and  get  the  best  you  had ;  your  obliging  guests,  mean 
while,  insisting  upon  helping  you.  They  would  pare  the  apples 
for  the  pies — if  the  dessert  was  to  be  apple  pie,  apple  float,  or 
Brown  Betty — or  hull  the  berries  if  small  fruits  were  in  season. 
They  would  shell  the  peas,  or  peel  the  potatoes,  all  the  while 
indulging  in  animated  conversation,  peals  of  laughter  empha 
sizing  their  enjoyment.  If  you  were  the  hostess,  you  had  to 
play  the  part  of  entertainer  while  standing  over  a  hot  stove, 
trying  to  keep  in  mind  the  numerous  saucepans  and  drip- 
pans  which  were  simmering  in  the  oven  or  boiling  on  the 
stove  lest  they  boil  over  or  burn.  You  had  to  lay  the  table 
for  adults  and  children,  no  matter  how  many,  rushing  mean 
while  from  the  kitchen  to  the  pantry  lest  something  go  awry. 
Many  a  hostess  has  collapsed  as  soon  as  her  guests  departed. 
In  my  case,  I  quickly  discovered  that  my  husband's  friends 
and  acquaintances  were  equally  unconventional,  and  expected 
him  to  invite  them  to  dinner  or  to  supper,  and  at  times  to 
stay  all  night  when  they  happened  to  attend  the  courts,  or 
come  to  town  on  occasions  of  political  conventions.  He 
never  knew  how  many  to  expect,  but,  as  soon  as  he  found  out 
how  many  were  in  town,  would  send  me  a  note  saying  he  was 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  43 

bringing  ten  or  a  dozen  friends  for  dinner,  adding  tenderly: 
"Do  the  best  you  can,  my  dear,  and  I  am  sure  everything  will 
be  all  right."  Imagine  a  bride  of  to-day  so  situated,  and  with 
no  alternative  but  to  find  a  messenger  to  send  after  some 
friend  to  come  and  help  her  out  of  her  dilemma!  Be  it  said 
to  their  credit,  the  friends  were  always  ready  to  help.  My 
mother  had  taught  me  to  be  somewhat  provident  in  the  mat 
ter  of  looking  after  the  larder,  which  served  me  well  in  those 
days  of  real  trial.  Prompted  by  an  insatiable  ambition  to  be 
all  that  was  expected  of  me  by  my  husband's  numerous  friends, 
I  triumphed  over  many  otherwise  painful  experiences. 

Notwithstanding  the  fact  that  I  was  but  little  over  seven 
teen  years  old,  I  soon  discovered  that  I  was  expected  to  know 
everything;  to  be  an  efficient  milliner,  dressmaker,  and  to 
assist  in  the  work  of  an  undertaker  in  preparing  the  bodies 
of  the  dead  for  their  coffins.  I  was  sent  for  almost  daily  to 
perform  some  of  these  offices,  and  shall  never  forget  the  terror 
with  which  I  assisted  in  preparing  the  shroud  which  was 
used  in  those  days  for  the  dead.  A  lovely  lady  died  very 
suddenly,  and  I  was  sent  for.  It  was  the  first  time  I  had 
ever  touched  a  corpse,  and,  like  all  young  people,  I  was  fright 
ened  almost  out  of  my  wits.  My  blood  ran  cold,  and  I  grew 
dizzy,  and  came  near  fainting.  Remembering  that  Logan's 
wife  must  be  equal  to  everything,  I  put  aside  my  timidity, 
and  having  a  real  affection  for  the  person,  helped  to  my  ut 
most.  I  was  much  gratified  at  having  the  friends  report  to  my 
husband  that  I  was  very  skilful,  and  that  they  would  not  have 
known  what  to  do  without  me.  As  long  as  I  live  I  shall  re 
member,  with  the  deepest  gratitude  and  the  tenderest  affec 
tion,  the  devotion  of  these  dear  people  who  adopted  me  as 
the  wife  of  their  leader  and  hero.  Sometimes  my  husband 
demurred  against  my  undertaking  to  comply  with  the  requests 
of  these  friends,  when  he  knew  my  sympathies  would  be  very 
deeply  aroused  or  my  ingenuity  overtaxed.  However,  I  in 
sisted  that  I  must  at  least  try  to  do  anything  they  wanted  me 


44  REMINISCENCES  OF 

to  undertake.  As  I  look  back  upon  it  now,  I  realize  that, 
as  is  said  in  common  parlance,  I  "put  up  many  a  bluff,"  and 
was  only  able  to  accomplish  my  task  because  of  my  devotion 
to  my  husband,  and  my  pride  in  not  wishing  to  be  "found 
wanting."  My  husband  was  their  idol  and  paid  the  penalty 
for  their  adoration  by  being  obliged  to  take  the  lead  in  every 
thing.  He  decided  all  controversies,  wrote  their  wills,  planned 
for  the  execution  of  all  their  projects,  managed  their  political 
affairs.  In  a  word,  he  was  the  leader  at  all  times  and  under 
all  circumstances.  Notwithstanding  all  these  responsibilities, 
we  were  repaid  tenfold  by  their  loyalty  and  devotion.  We 
had  many  diversions  and  happy  times,  sharing  in  all  their 
pleasures  as  well  as  in  their  sorrows.  When  my  husband  had 
to  be  away  from  home,  I  was  looked  after  carefully  and  ten 
derly  by  neighbors  and  friends. 

Franklin  County  was  an  important  county  in  that  part  of 
the  State.  The  people  were  for  the  most  part  agriculturists, 
and,  as  a  consequence,  had  a  fine  agricultural  association. 
Necessarily,  they  had  to  provide  for  an  annual  fair  or  exhibi 
tion  of  the  products  of  the  husbandman  and  housewife,  the 
first  one  of  which  I  attended  about  a  year  after  our  marriage. 
These  fairs  were  interesting  beyond  description,  both  as  to 
the  people  who  attended  them  and  the  exhibits  that  were 
made.  Men  and  women  had  here  an  opportunity  to  display 
the  fruits  of  their  special  provinces,  and  the  results  of  the 
year's  experiments  and  labors.  With  untiring  energy,  much 
thought,  and  patient  care,  everything  belonging  to  the  animal 
and  vegetable  kingdoms,  or  to  domestic  and  household  art, 
was  exhibited  in  the  pleasant  rivalry  for  premiums.  Acres 
of  ground,  usually  at  the  county-seat,  were  enclosed  by  a  high 
board  fence,  that  none  might  behold  the  wonders  on  exhibi 
tion  without  first  depositing  the  fee  at  the  entrance-gate. 

Families  generally  provided  themselves  with  season  tickets 
for  "fair  week."  The  president,  treasurer,  and  secretary  of 
the  agricultural  association,  who  managed  and  conducted  the 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  45 

fairs,  were  men  of  unquestionable  integrity  and  business  quali 
fications.  They  spent  much  time  and  labor  in  forming  the 
committees  and  appointing  the  judges  who  were  to  make  the 
awards  in  the  contests  for  the  prizes  in  the  various  depart 
ments.  The  same  officers  had  to  provide  for  the  payment  of 
the  premiums  that  often  aggregated  many  thousands  of  dol 
lars  in  excess  of  the  gate-fees.  It  required  a  voluminous 
catalogue  to  list  all  the  premiums  offered  for  the  best  of  every 
thing — from  a  cucumber  to  a  mammoth  pumpkin  or  squash; 
from  a  glass  of  jelly  to  a  barrel  of  marmalade;  from  a  ginger- 
snap  to  huge  loaves  of  bread  and  cake;  from  a  dainty  piece  of 
embroidery  to  innumerable  patchwork  quilts;  from  a  yard 
of  flannel  to  yards  of  jeans  and  bright  "bayadere "-striped 
linsey  dress-goods,  and  rag  carpeting;  from  a  lady's  fan  made 
of  the  golden-bronze  feathers  of  a  turkey's  tail  to  fly-brushes 
from  the  glory  of  a  peacock;  from  a  breed  of  Brahma,  Span 
ish,  Shanghai,  Cochin,  or  Dominique  chickens  to  proud  cocks 
and  blustering  hens  of  every  species;  from  goslings  to  geese 
and  swans;  from  ducklings  to  quacking  ducks  of  all  varieties. 
Pigs,  cattle,  horses,  mules,  and  every  species  of  domestic  ani 
mal  preserved  in  the  ark,  and  propagated  since  the  days  of 
the  flood,  swelled  the  list  competing  for  superiority.  Fruits 
and  flowers  in  limitless  numbers  were  brought  and  arranged 
to  the  best  advantage  for  competition,  according  to  the  taste 
and  tact  of  the  exhibitor.  Sometimes  they  assumed  such 
fantastic  shapes  that  one  was  at  a  loss  to  recognize  Nature's 
most  familiar  productions.  Elaborate  conventional  designs 
of  flowers  and  leaves  would  be  wrought  of  all  kinds  of 
seeds  and  grasses,  and  large  panels  would  be  carefully  framed 
and  other  devices  made  out  of  feathers,  shells,  and  straws. 

My  husband  and  I  were  obliged  to  serve  on  the  committees 
of  award  for  various  departments,  and  congratulated  ourselves 
that  we  were  made  to  feel  we  had  made  no  enemies  by  the 
decisions  in  which  we  joined.  This  was  evidenced  by  the 
number  of  prize  vegetables  and  fruits  which  were  left  at  our 


46  REMINISCENCES  OF 

home.     We  felt  that  these  dear  people  appreciated  the  in 
terest  we  took  in  these  fairs. 

Speeding  their  horses  was  especially  exciting  and  brought 
the  largest  crowd  of  "fair  week."  There  was  especial  interest 
in  the  equestrian  contests,  because  couples  of  men  and  women 
from  the  country  and  town  competed  for  the  prizes.  Fast 
riding,  not  unlike  that  of  the  "wild  west,"  was  considered 
evidence  of  the  finest  attainment  in  the  art.  Once,  at  a 
county  fair,  I  witnessed  a  veritable  John  Gilpin  ride  in  an 
equestrian  contest  participated  in  by  six  couples.  Three  of 
the  couples  were  from  the  towns  and  three  from  the  country. 
The  young  ladies  and  gentlemen  from  the  town  wore  genteel 
riding-suits,  one  couple  being  arrayed  in  dark -green  cloth,  one 
in  black,  and  one  in  dark -blue.  The  ladies  wore  stovepipe 
hats  with  long  blue  or  gray  tissue  veils  wound  around  them 
and  tied  in  front — the  fashion  of  that  day.  The  country  girls 
wore  their  summer  dresses,  ordinary  hats,  and  riding-skirts 
made  of  light  blue  cottonade  buttoned  on  over  their  dresses. 
One  of  them  rode  a  light,  clay-bank  horse  with  white  mane 
and  tail.  The  rider  had  abundant  bright-red  hair,  much 
color  in  her  cheeks,  and  was  a  very  large,  fine-looking  woman. 
She  wore  a  white  dress  with  a  blue  riding-skirt  over  it,  and  a 
broad-brimmed  hat  with  green  ribbons.  Another  of  these 
girls  wore  a  gingham  dress  of  yellow  with  a  blue  riding-skirt. 
A  white,  broad-brimmed  hat,  with  blue  ribbons  that  hung 
down  in  long  streamers  behind,  completed  her  costume.  She 
was  seated  upon  a  white  horse.  The  third  girl  wore  a  dress 
of  some  kind  of  dark  goods,  and  had  a  bright-red  ribbon  on  her 
hat.  Like  a  statue  she  sat  on  a  splendid,  blooded  bay  horse 
that  was  at  least  sixteen  hands  high.  The  escorts  of  these 
blooming  lassies  were  young  men  from  the  country  who  could 
ride  like  Comanches.  The  moment  they  were  drawn  up  in 
front  of  the  judge's  stand  to  start,  the  most  careless  observer 
could  see  by  the  contemptuous  expressions  and  sneers  of  the 
country  riders  that  there  was  to  be  some  reckless  riding. 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  47 

They  started  around  the  ring,  but,  before  the  quarter  post 
was  reached,  the  country  couples  began  to  pull  their  spirited 
steeds,  while  those  from  the  towns  quickened  their  pace  in  a 
dignified  manner.  By  the  time  they  reached  the  half-mile 
post  they  were  going  faster  and  faster,  and  as  they  ap 
proached  the  three-quarter  post  the  country  couples  were 
leading  the  van.  On  they  came,  flying  past  the  judge's  stand, 
round  and  round  again,  the  broad-brimmed  hats  with  their 
streamers  flapping  in  the  wind.  The  contest  rapidly  narrowed 
down  to  the  three  country  couples,  between  whom  the  rivalry 
grew  closer  and  closer.  On,  on,  they  went,  flying  over  the 
track,  till  the  girl  with  the  red  hair  was  leading  the  race;  her 
hat  gone,  her  hair  unbraided  and  streaming  in  the  wind  like 
the  rays  of  a  glaring  red  sunset  that  betokens  a  coming  storm. 
The  blue  riding-skirt  had  become  unfastened,  and  was  flying 
in  the  wind  like  the  sails  of  a  yacht.  The  yellow  horse, 
stretched  to  his  full  length,  and  his  long  tail  sweeping  behind, 
looked  like  a  very  demon  as  he  came  puffing  like  a  bellows, 
round  and  round  the  third  time,  leaving  everything,  escort 
and  all,  far  behind.  The  multitude  of  people  had  rushed  to 
the  edge  of  the  ring,  and  were  shouting,  clapping  their  hands, 
and  screaming  like  Indians.  "Go  it,  Sallie!"  "Go  it,  Liza!" 
"Go  it,  Yaller!"  "Beat  'em,  gals,  beat  'em!"  until  every 
body  was  wild  with  excitement.  Betting  was  lively,  and  in 
the  brief  moments  these  reckless  riders  were  flying  around  the 
track  many  dollars  changed  hands.  Finally,  hatless,  skirt- 
less,  and  with  dishevelled  hair,  "Liza"  reined  her  dripping, 
yellow  horse  in  front  of  the  judges'  stand  to  receive  the  blue 
ribbon,  while  the  spirited  bay  was  given  the  red  one.  Then 
off  the  two  went  round  again  to  display  their  trophies,  and 
finish  their  victory  over  the  "stuck-up  town  girls,  who  don't 
know  how  to  ride  nohow."  Cheer  after  cheer  greeted  them 
as  they  galloped  round  the  track  and  out  of  the  ring  tri 
umphantly,  while  the  town  girls  and  their  escorts  rode  away 
disgusted. 


48  REMINISCENCES  OF 

This  is  only  an  example  of  the  many  amusing  incidents 
which  occurred  during  our  life  in  Ben  ton.  The  cottage 
which  was  our  first  home,  with  its  whole  front  blooming 
with  the  prolific  sweetbriar  rose,  is  still  standing  in  Ben  ton. 
The  Illinois  legislature  recently  passed  a  bill  for  the  pur 
chase,  renovation,  and  preservation  of  our  cottage  home  in 
Ben  ton,  Illinois,  and  the  committee  who  have  charge  of  the 
matter  will  make  an  effort  to  recover  many  of  the  articles 
of  furniture,  etc.,  which  we  used  in  this  cottage,  the  where 
abouts  of  which  are  well  known  to  these  old  friends  and 
their  descendants.  Around  it  will  ever  cling  memories  of 
our  happy  days,  when  we  joined  hands  and  hearts  in  per 
forming  every  duty,  and  shared  in  the  enjoyment  of  every 
pleasure  when  we  started  on  life's  journey  together.  In  it  our 
first  two  children  were  born.  Unfortunately  we  lost  our  first 
born  son.  Our  only  living  child,  Mrs.  Mary  Logan  Tucker,  is 
now  the  comfort  of  my  declining  years. 

I  was  forcibly  reminded  of  the  changes  which  time  has 
wrought  by  the  receipt  of  a  letter  some  time  ago  from  Mrs. 
Hettie  A.  Dillon,  wife  of  Captain  Dillon,  of  Benton,  Illinois. 
Mrs.  Dillon  was  then  Miss  Hettie  A.  Duncan,  and  was  one  of 
the  "town  girls"  in  the  equestrian  contest  described  in  the 
foregoing,  when  she  rode  with  General  Logan's  brother, 
William,  both  of  whom  were  fine  riders,  but  too  dignified 
to  descend  to  the  Comanche  style  of  their  rivals  from  the 
country.  The  following  extract  will  serve  to  show  how 
much  the  town  of  Benton  has  progressed  since  the  days  of 
the  war: 

Recently  a  member  of  our  Self  Culture  Club  entertained  us  in 
her  new  beautiful  home  upon  the  site  of  the  old  Floral  Hall  where 
long  ago  exaggerated  pumpkins,  squashes,  beets,  and  other  farm 
products,  with  great  bunches  of  zinnias,  hollyhocks,  and  coxcombs, 
competed  for  blue  ribbons.  It  seems  rather  an  odd  coincidence 
that  in  the  spacious  reception-hall  a  beautiful  Carrara  marble  Ceres 
smiles  from  a  wealth  of  fruit  and  flowers,  illumined  with  tiny  in- 


eg 

$ 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  49 

candescents.  The  old  race-track  makes  a  fine  drive.  Where  the 
judges'  stand  was  is  a  lovely  pergola.  The  stock  pond  in  summer 
is  a  fragrant  lily  pond.  It  all  makes  a  beautiful  environment  for 
my  lovely  friend. 


CHAPTER  III 


LEGAL  ROUTINE  —  EMINENT  PRACTITIONERS  —  BELLIGERENCE 
OF  LITIGANTS  —  CHARACTERISTIC  CASES  —  PRESIDENTIAL  CAM 
PAIGN  OF  1856  —  JOINT  DISCUSSIONS  —  DEMOCRATIC  PARTY 
LARGELY  IN  THE  MAJORITY  —  DOUGLAS  AND  POPULAR  SOVER 
EIGNTY  —  THE  LINCOLN-DOUGLAS  CAMPAIGN  OF  1858  —  MY 
HUSBAND  ELECTED  TO  THE  LEGISLATURE  —  MRS.  DOUGLAS  — 
LINCOLN  AS  SEEN  BY  AN  OPPONENT  —  DOUGLAS'S  STRONG 
SPEECH  AT  CLINTON  —  LINCOLN'S  ILLNESS  —  MR.  LOGAN'S 
POLITICAL  VIEWS  MODIFIED  BY  LINCOLN'S  LOGIC  —  A  REPUB 
LICAN  AFTER  SUMTER 

IT  was  while  spending  "court  week"  at  Murphy sboro  that 
I  discovered  I  could  write  the  blanks  for  indictments  from 
those  the  prosecuting  attorney  had  prepared  for  criminal  of 
fences:  viz.,  for  selling  liquor  without  license,  gambling,  as 
sault  and  battery,  petty  larceny,  and  other  violations  of  the 
law.  There  were  no  such  things  as  printed  blanks  like  those 
used  to-day.  Everything  had  to  be  written  out  with  pen  and 
ink — a  quill  pen  being  generally  used.  I  had  worked  in  the 
general  land  office  for  my  father,  and  knew  something  about 
business  matters.  As  I  had  nothing  to  do  while  my  husband 
was  in  court,  and  he  had  to  write  out  these  indictments  at 
night,  after  the  foreman  of  the  grand  jury  reported  them  to 
him,  it  occurred  to  me  that  it  would  be  easy  to  write  out  a 
number  of  each  kind,  thus  relieving  my  husband  of  the  me 
chanical  drudgery  of  writing  them  at  night.  Being  a  swift 
writer,  I  prepared  a  number  one  day,  leaving  a  blank  space 
for  the  insertion  of  the  name  of  the  unfortunate  offender. 
Albeit  more  than  fifty  years  have  come  and  gone,  I  recall  with 

50 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  51 

warm  emotion  the  gratification  I  experienced  when,  after 
timidly  submitting  them  to  the  prosecuting  attorney,  he  pro 
nounced  them  well  done,  and  declared  they  would  be  of  valu 
able  service  to  him.  It  did  not  take  him  long  to  insert  the 
names,  and  his  work  was  ready  for  the  next  morning. 

I  was  deeply  interested  in  every  case  my  husband  had  in 
court,  and  spent  many  hours  reading  law-reports  and  author 
ities,  and  marking  decisions  which  bore  upon  those  he  might 
have  to  argue.  I  cut  slips  of  paper,  wrote  across  them  the 
point  made,  and  marked  the  most  important  paragraphs, 
which  enabled  him  to  get  at  the  pith  of  the  case  without  hav 
ing  to  read  pages  of  irrelevant  matter.  Through  his  experi 
ence  as  prosecuting  attorney  criminal  law  became  a  passion 
with  John  A.  Logan,  his  practice  and  fame  multiplying  con 
tinually,  until  he  was  probably  the  most  conspicuous  lawyer 
south  of  Springfield  in  1860. 

As  in  all  comparatively  new  States,  Illinois  had  her  share 
of  litigations  which  attracted  many  of  the  brightest  lawyers 
of  the  whole  country.  Among  many  others  were  Judge  Syd 
ney  Breeze,  Hon.  Walter  P.  Scates,  Hon.  W.  A.  Denning, 
Judge  James  Shields,  Hon.  S.  S.  Marshall,  Hon.  W.  K.  Parish, 
General  John  A.  McClernand,  Hon.  Lloyd  Posey,  Hon.  W.  J. 
Allen,  Hon.  John  A.  Logan,  and  Hon.  John  Doherty.  Twice 
each  year  spring  and  fall  terms  of  the  court  were  held  in  the 
county-seat  of  each  of  the  counties  composing  the  judicial 
districts.  The  sessions  of  the  courts  were  great  events.  For 
days  before,  extensive  preparations  for  the  entertainment  of  the 
people  attendant  upon  the  courts  were  made  by  private  citi 
zens  and  the  landlords  of  the  little  taverns.  The  entertain 
ment  of  the  lawyers  of  the  circuit  was  a  matter  of  much  im 
portance,  and  nothing  was  spared  that  would  contribute  to 
their  comfort. 

Friends  and  tavern-keepers  were  each  eager  to  have  the 
judge  and  the  lawyers  at  their  board,  that  they  might  be 
regaled  by  the  good  stories  that  were  told,  and  the  brilliant 


52  REMINISCENCES   OF 

repartee  in  which  they  indulged  over  the  high-noon  dinner— 
the  court  adjourning  one  hour  for  this  purpose.  Not  infre 
quently  the  best  points  have  been  made  in  important  cases 
during  this  hour,  when  all  joined  in  the  most  unreserved  dis 
cussion  of  matters  of  litigation,  politics,  religion — everything 
that  is  liable  to  arise  in  the  scope  of  social  conversation,  the 
judge  laying  aside  the  dignity  of  his  office  and  entering  freely 
into  the  colloquies.  Attorneys  felt  at  liberty  to  put  in  many 
points  which  would  profit  their  clients,  and  which  were,  with 
out  seeming  to  be  so,  matters  of  special  pleading.  Sometimes 
most  amusing  incidents  occurred,  betraying  the  tact  and 
sagacity  of  brilliant  men  in  legal  sallies.  Some  of  the  most 
noted  cases  in  criminal  practice  have  been  tried  in  these 
courts.  The  eloquence  of  the  lawyers  of  the  day  has  saved 
from  execution  many  desperate  criminals. 

On  one  occasion,  when  Mr.  Logan  was  defending  a 
young  man  being  tried  for  murder,  a  lamb  that  had  strayed 
from  the  fold  was  chased  by  dogs  into  the  park  that  encircled 
the  court-house.  In  its  fright  and  endeavors  to  elude  its 
pursuers,  it  ran  into  the  court-room,  down  the  middle  aisle  of 
the  crowded  room,  and  lay  down  at  the  judge's  feet.  Quick 
as  a  flash  Mr.  Logan  paused  in  his,  pleading  and  seized 
upon  the  incident  to  the  profit  of  his  bitterly  prosecuted  client, 
insisting  that  the  innocent  lamb  had  come  to  offer  itself  as 
a  sacrifice  to  save  the  life  of  the  unfortunate  prisoner.  His 
touching  appeal  so  impressed  the  jury  that  the  young  man  was 
acquitted,  while  the  judge  announced  the  verdict  in  open 
court,  betraying  much  emotion,  the  whole  audience  and  the 
prisoner  weeping  like  children. 

In  the  evening  lawyers,  judges,  and  citizens  congregated 
together,  sometimes  to  play  poker,  sometimes  to  smoke  and 
talk;  discussing  always  every  phase  of  the  politics  of  the  day. 
It  was  a  curious  fact  that  the  men  of  that  time  were,  without 
exception,  thoroughly  posted  on  political  questions,  and 
while  perhaps  very  partisan,  they  knew  all  about  political 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  53 

affairs,  and  espoused  one  side  or  the  other  with  enthusiasm. 
An  " independent "  was  unknown,  and  our  modern  "third- 
party  men"  would  have  had  little  encouragement  from  these 
intensely  earnest  people,  whose  politics  were  as  much  a  part 
of  their  faith  as  their  religion.  Sometimes  they  carried  their 
intensity  so  far  that  they  came  to  blows  over  questions  or 
individuals  whom  equally  earnest  opponents  were  espousing. 
On  such  occasions  men  fought  each  other  like  tigers:  pound 
ing,  biting,  cutting,  and  sometimes  shooting  each  other  fa 
tally.  Duelling  was  never  recognized  in  Illinois,  as  it  was 
farther  south,  but  the  equally  barbarous  practice  of  assault 
ing  each  other  with  knives,  bludgeons,  brickbats,  pound 
weights,  and  any  instrument  of  destruction  at  hand  was 
freely  indulged  in.  There  was  seldom  a  term  of  the  court 
when  there  was  not  a  murder  case  on  the  docket  and  always 
cases  of  assault  and  battery. 

The  judges  and  lawyers  were  obliged  to  travel  in  buggies 
or  stages  from  one  place  of  holding  court  to  another,  and  any 
overland  conveyance  which  they  could  obtain  was  gladly 
used.  The  distance  was  always  from  twenty-five  to  fifty 
miles,  over  the  worst  of  roads,  through  the  wind  and  rain  of 
the  spring  and  the  bitter  blasts  of  the  fall  and  winter.  My 
husband  always  insisted  upon  my  accompanying  him  when 
ever  it  was  possible.  The  taverns  were  invariably  small  and 
poorly  furnished. 

The  court-rooms  were  circumscribed  and  densely  crowded 
with  people  who  looked  upon  the  terms  of  court  as  their  one 
opportunity  to  hear  the  arguments  in  litigation  and  the  often 
eloquent  speeches  of  the  attorneys,  together  with  the  political 
discussions  that  usually  occupied  some  hour  during  court 
week.  Everybody's  affairs  were  talked  of.  All  the  gossip  of 
the  country  was  retailed  to  the  visitors  who  attended  court. 
It  was  a  luxury  to  the  many  who  seldom  saw  newspapers 
and  the  monotony  of  whose  lives  was  only  relieved  by  these 
occasional  recreations. 


54  REMINISCENCES  OF 

We  remember  how  some  of  the  lawyers  were  obliged  to 
carry  their  law-books  from  court  to  court,  as  they  could  not 
depend  upon  finding  authorities  in  every  town.  Law  libraries 
were  few  and  incomplete.  One  lawyer  always  carried  a  green- 
baize  bag,  in  which  were  the  books  he  was  constantly  quoting 
when  he  had  a  case.  He  would  bring  the  bag  into  court 
every  morning,  and  lay  it  on  the  bench  or  a  table  beside  him, 
to  show  that  he  was  well  fortified.  He  was  an  Irishman,  and 
would  parry  with  his  Irish  wit  the  fun  poked  at  him  by  his 
brother  lawyers,  always  concluding  with:  "I've  the  authori 
ties  with  me,  will  ye  mind  that,  my  fellows?"  Many  of  the 
cases  were  most  amusing  and  difficult  of  adjustment,  as,  for 
instance:  a  Mr.  B,  Sr.,  married  the  daughter  of  a  widow  who 
had  property.  His  son,  Mr.  B,  Jr.,  married  his  wife's  mother; 
that  is,  he  married  the  mother  of  his  stepmother.  Both 
mother  and  daughter  had  children,  and  got  into  litigation  to 
establish  the  relationship  of  these  children,  their  inheritance, 
and  the  division  of  the  property.  The  father  being  son-in-law 
to  his  own  son,  his  son's  wife  being  his  mother-in-law,  and 
at  the  same  time  his  daughter-in-law,  while  the  father's 
young  children  were  half  brothers  and  sisters  to  their  grand 
father.  The  son's  children  were  his  grandchildren,  and  also 
his  brothers  and  sisters  in  law,  because  they  were  his  wife's 
half  brothers  and  sisters.  For  years  this  case  was  on  the 
docket.  Argument  after  argument  was  heard  by  judge  and 
jury  without  deciding  the  status  of  this  much-mixed-up 
family,  until  the  residue  of  the  estate  was  absorbed  by  costs 
and  attorneys'  fees. 

The  digging  and  delving  into  facts  and  authorities,  together 
with  the  earnest  work  that  was  unavoidable  to  attain  suc 
cess  in  any  case,  wonderfully  developed  these  naturally  able 
men.  As  a  result,  a  galaxy  of  illustrious  men  were  produced 
who  have  made  an  impress  upon  the  nation  as  well  as  the 
State.  The  scene  of  Mr.  Lincoln's  early  career  was  farther 
north  in  Illinois.  The  central  and  northern  part  of  the  State 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  55 

had  its  own  bar  of  remarkable  men  whom  I  knew  in  later 
days. 

The  presidential  campaign  of  1856  was  one  of  intense  inter 
est,  far  in  excess  of  that  of  any  preceding  campaign.  The 
Kansas  and  Nebraska  trouble  had  brought  out  most  conspic 
uously  the  subtlety  of  the  slaveholder  of  the  South  and  the 
no-longer-to-be-concealed  fact  that,  in  order  to  extend  slavery 
into  the  Territories  and  to  perpetuate  that  institution,  they 
would  not  hesitate  to  overthrow  every  opposition,  even  to 
the  destruction  of  the  government  and  the  disruption  of  the 
union  of  the  States.  Scarcely  a  man  in  southern  Illinois  was 
so  ignorant  as  not  to  think  he  knew  all  about  the  important 
principles  involved  in  the  contest,  and  thought  it  was  neces 
sary  for  him  to  be  on  hand  on  all  occasions  when  political 
affairs  were  discussed  or  in  any  way  under  consideration. 
Hence,  at  all  public  gatherings  and  meetings  multitudes  as 
sembled,  men  and  women  flocking  to  a  political  demonstra 
tion  as  they  would  to  a  camp-meeting  or  to  a  circus.  Before 
the  hour  for  speaking  or  joint  discussions  these  occasions 
were  enlivened  by  processions  led  by  bands  of  music, 
when  often  unique  banners  and  devices  were  displayed. 
Among  these,  not  infrequently,  was  a  pyramid  of  seats  ar 
ranged  on  long  wagons,  upon  which  would  be  seated  young  girls 
representing  every  State  in  the  Union.  The  girls  were  dressed 
in  white  with  red,  white,  and  blue  ribbons  flying  from  their 
waists  and  shoulders.  A  goddess  of  liberty  was  placed  in 
the  centre.  Her  robe  was  made  of  the  flag;  red  and  white 
stripes  in  the  skirt  and  a  waist  of  blue  studded  with  stars 
of  gold  or  silver,  while  in  her  hand  she  carried  a  flag  or  sceptre, 
thus  impersonating  Columbia.  These  spectacles  awakened 
the  wildest  enthusiasm,  and  the  people  became  so  absorbed 
that  the  girl  representing  a  State  immediately  became  its 
champion,  together  with  all  its  interests  and  "isms,"  what 
ever  they  happened  to  be.  Heated  controversies  often  arose 
between  Massachusetts  and  South  Carolina  before  the  fair 


56  REMINISCENCES   OF 

representatives  had  laid  aside  the  printed  name  of  the  States 
they  represented. 

Barbecues  which  would  have  done  credit  to  the  feasts  of 
the  days  of  Roman  greatness  were  usually  a  feature  of  these 
political  gatherings,  whole  beeves,  sheep,  and  pigs  being 
cooked  to  feed  the  multitudes.  After  butchering  and  quar 
tering  the  animal,  long  pits  were  dug  and  filled  with  logs  of 
wood.  These  logs  were  set  on  fire,  and  kept  burning  until 
the  pits  were  quite  full  of  live  coals.  Across  these  were  placed 
iron  bars,  and  on  these  bars  were  laid  the  quarters  or  halves  of 
the  animal.  By  a  system  of  turning  over  and  over,  the  huge 
pieces  of  meat  were  cooked  to  perfection,  while  chicken  and 
other  fowl  were  daintily  broiled.  Potatoes,  both  white  and 
sweet,  and  green  corn  were  roasted,  and  with  the  delicious 
bread  baked  in  "Dutch  ovens"  of  private  families  a  feast 
fit  for  the  gods  was  the  result.  In  the  groves  of  trees,  always 
an  indispensable  adjunct  for  a  barbecue,  long  tables  were  con 
structed,  upon  which  were  spread  the  viands,  and  around 
these  the  multitudes  gathered.  After  enjoying  the  great  feast, 
toasts  and  speeches  were  in  order,  and  some  as  brilliant 
speeches  as  ever  followed  any  banquet  of  the  Gridiron  or  the 
Clover  Club  have  echoed  through  the  trees  above  these  crude 
tables,  eliciting  shouts  of  applause  from  appreciative  hearers. 
The  crowd  then  congregated  around  the  speaker's  stand, 
erected  sufficiently  far  away  from  the  table  and  pits  to  keep 
the  noise  of  clearing  away  of  dishes  and  the  last  of  the  feast 
from  disturbing  either  speaker  or  audience.  Then  began  in 
earnest  the  business  of  the  day  in  the  discussion  of  political 
topics. 

The  Democratic  party  was  very  greatly  in  the  majority 
in  southern  Illinois,  and  controlled  all  the  party-machinery 
resources,  having  done  so  for  years.  It  was  not  surpri 
sing,  therefore,  that  the  local  as  well  as  the  national  nomi 
nees  were  elected.  The  campaign  of  1856  aroused  the  lethar 
gic  as  never  before.  In  the  subsequent  contests  for  the 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  57 

election  of  the  legislators  who  were  to  vote  for  United  States 
senator,  there  was  even  greater  excitement,  and  more  bitter 
controversy  than  had  characterized  the  presidential  cam 
paign. 

Lying  as  southern  Illinois  does — between  Kentucky  and 
Missouri — and  having  then  a  population  strongly  sympathi 
zing  with  the  slaveholders,  the  questions  that  had  arisen  would 
not  down.  Popular  sovereignty,  the  motto  of  the  State,  under 
the  leadership  of  Mr.  Douglas,  the  champion  of  States'  rights, 
had  thoroughly  impressed  itself  upon  a  large  majority  of  the 
citizens  south  of  the  Ohio  and  Mississippi  Railroad  without 
it  ever  occurring  to  them  to  what  extent  this  theory  could  be 
carried,  or  whither  they  were  drifting  in  advocating  this  dan 
gerous  doctrine.  Not  one  of  the  most  earnest  advocates  of 
popular  sovereignty,  not  even  Mr.  Douglas,  who  claimed  the 
authorship  of  the  bill,  ever  had  a  disloyal  thought.  They 
would  not  for  one  moment  have  sustained  the  theory  that, 
acting  under  its  tenets,  a  State  had  the  right  to  secede;  and 
yet  secession  was  the  logical  sequence  and  result  of  the 
agitation  of  the  question  and  theory  of  popular  sovereignty. 

As  I  look  back  over  the  past,  I  am  glad  that  my  husband 
insisted  upon  taking  me  with  him,  whenever  it  was  possible, 
wherever  he  went.  Therefore  I  was  fortunate  enough  to 
witness  the  stirring  scenes  of  those  eventful  days  which  pre 
pared  me  for  the  memorable  ones  preceding  and  during  the 
Civil  War. 

At  the  November  election  in  1856  my  husband  was  elected 
to  the  Illinois  legislature.  He  resigned  his  position  as  prose 
cuting  attorney,  greatly  to  the  delight  of  the  criminal  class 
in  the  third  judicial  district.  He  had  convicted  so  many 
during  his  term  that  he  had  become  a  terror  to  evil-doers. 

Our  little  son,  John  Cunningham  Logan,  was  but  two 
months  old  when  the  legislature  convened  in  January,  1857. 
I  decided  that  it  would  not  be  wise  to  leave  our  comfortable 
home  with  a  young  baby  to  live  in  a  hotel.  Therefore  my 


58  REMINISCENCES   OF 

husband's  brother,  William  H.  Logan,  who  was  reading  law 
in  my  husband's  office,  stayed  with  me  while  Mr.  Logan  went 
to  Springfield  for  the  session  of  the  legislature,  which  in  those 
days  was  never  of  more  than  two  or  three  months'  duration. 

The  session  proved  rather  an  important  one,  my  husband 
adding  much  to  his  reputation  by  his  position  on  questions 
before  that  body.  Among  other  things  he  arraigned  Governor 
Bissell  for  violation  of  the  statute  which  debarred  from  the 
position  of  governor  any  one  who  had  given  or  accepted  a 
challenge  to  a  duel,  Governor  Bissell  having  years  before  par 
ticipated  in  a  duel. 

The  winter  in  Ben  ton  was  very  quiet,  nothing  occurring 
beyond  the  informal  social  affairs  of  a  small  town  in  the  West 
during  the  fifties.  Mr.  Logan  returned  home  for  the  spring 
term  of  the  courts.  He  had  many  clients,  and  was  quite  as 
busy  as  when  prosecuting  attorney.  Young  as  I  was,  I  real 
ized  that  my  husband  was  destined  to  take  an  active  part  in 
political  affairs,  which  were  then  becoming  of  more  and  more 
importance.  I  was  therefore  prepared  for  the  nomination 
of  Mr.  Logan  for  Congress,  and  for  his  election  in  November, 
1858.  After  the  death  of  our  first-born  son,  whom  we  lost 
when  he  was  less  than  a  year  old,  I  resumed  my  wonted 
occupation  of  going  everywhere  with  my  husband.  We  knew 
the  campaign  was  to  be  one  of  great  excitement.  Mr. 
Logan  was  in  correspondence  with  the  leading  men  of  his 
party,  including  Mr.  Douglas,  W.  A.  Richardson,  General 
Singleton,  General  Thornton,  Mr.  Shehan,  the  noted  editor, 
and  a  number  of  others,  and  was  advised  of  all  the  plans 
for  carrying  the  State  for  the  Democratic  party. 

Among  other  things  Mrs.  Douglas  was  to  accompany  the 
senator  during  the  campaign  in  Illinois.  Mr.  Douglas  had 
married  the  charming  Adele  Cutts,  niece  of  Dolly  Madison. 
She  was  one  of  the  most  queenly  women  of  her  day,  quite  as 
fascinating  and  captivating  in  her  manner  as  her  illustrious 
kinswoman.  She  was  Mr.  Douglas's  second  wife.  She  had 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  59 

all  her  life  been  associated  with  people  of  social  and  official 
prominence,  and  was  eminently  qualified  for  her  position. 

There  was  to  be  a  conference  with  Mr.  Douglas  on  his  ar 
rival  in  Chicago,  which  Mr.  Logan  agreed  to  attend.  He 
arranged  for  me  to  go  with  him,  that  I  might  meet  Mrs. 
Douglas.  I  was  naturally  delighted  with  the  prospect  of 
seeing  so  much,  but  trembled  at  the  thought  of  meeting  so 
many  distinguished  people,  who  to  my  unsophisticated  mind 
were  little  lower  than  the  angels.  I  feared  Mrs.  Douglas 
might  consider  me  quite  provincial,  and  too  inexperienced  to 
merit  her  attention.  When  I  did  meet  her  I  understood  why 
every  one  was  charmed  with  her,  and  soon  forgot  my  timidity. 
Mr.  Douglas  I  had  known  before,  as  he  had  been  a  guest  in 
my  father's  house,  my  father  being  one  of  his  warmest  sup 
porters. 

The  interest  manifested  in  political  affairs  in  the  campaign 
of  1856  was  intensified  by  the  issues  involved  in  the  approach 
ing  senatorial  election.  Illinois  had  in  its  list  of  public  men 
some  of  the  most  brilliant  in  the  whole  country,  and  there 
fore  in  the  contest  for  political  preferment  there  was  great 
rivalry.  The  parties  had  been  the  Whig  and  Democrat,  with 
now  and  then  offshoots  from  one  or  the  other  of  these  great 
parties  under  different  names,  and  with  various  "isms"  for  a 
foundation.  There  were  "  Know-No  things,"  with  their  anti- 
foreign  proclivities;  Abolitionists,  with  their  antislavery  prin 
ciples;  Kansas  and  Nebraska  bill  parties;  and  numerous  other 
organizations,  but  at  each  election  the  great  bulk  of  the  pop 
ulation  cast  their  votes  for  the  candidates  of  either  the  Whig 
or  the  Democratic  party.  Through  the  bloody  contest  over 
the  Kansas  and  Nebraska  bills  new  "isms"  had  sprung  up 
involving  the  question  of  States'  rights  versus  national  au 
thority,  making  the  division  in  the  Democratic  party  wider 
than  it  had  been  hitherto.  Mr.  Douglas,  as  leader  of  the 
Popular  Sovereignty  party,  had  attempted  to  harmonize  mat 
ters  between  the  North  and  the  South;  consequently  it  was 


60  REMINISCENCES  OF 

important,  many  thought,  that  he  should  be  re-elected  to  the 
Senate.  The  State  was  thoroughly  aroused.  At  every  con 
vention — county,  legislative,  and  senatorial — instructions  were 
given  to  the  nominees  of  both  parties  as  to  whom  the  repre 
sentatives  and  senators  should  support  for  the  United  States 
Senate,  Mr.  Lincoln  being  the  choice  of  the  Republicans,  a 
new  party,  composed  principally  of  men  from  the  Whig  and 
Abolition  parties.  Mr.  Douglas  was  the  choice  of  the  Demo 
cratic  and  Popular  Sovereignty  parties.  Long  before  Con 
gress  adjourned  the  excitement  was  intense. 

Mr.  Lincoln  had  been  nominated  by  the  Republican  State 
Convention  as  their  candidate  for  United  States  senator. 
Mr.  Douglas's  return  to  Illinois  was  impatiently  awaited. 
Finally  it  was  announced  that  he  would  return  to  his  home  in 
Chicago  on  Friday,  July  9,  1858.  Most  extensive  preparations 
were  made  to  extend  to  him  the  grandest  reception  that  had 
up  to  that  time  ever  been  given  to  any  man.  A  large  commit 
tee  was  appointed  composed  of  the  leading  men  of  the  city  and 
State,  Charles  Walker  being  made  chairman.  This  commit 
tee  was  composed  of  Hon.  J.  B.  Vaughn,  C.  C.  Marsh,  Thomas 
Lanagan,  D.  A.  Gage,  D.  L.  Boone,  Hon.  Thomas  Dyer, 
Andrew  Harnia,  H.  T.  Dickey,  W.  B.  Scates,  B.  S.  Morris, 
General  H.  L.  Stewart,  S.  W.  Fuller,  Colonel  E.  D.  Taylor, 
General  Jacob  Frye,  Hon.  Lambert  Tree,  J.  A.  McVicker, 
B.  F.  Bradley,  Hon.  W.  W.  Drummond,  B.  T.  Caulfield, 
H.  D.  Calvin,  Robert  Healy,  and  others.  These  men  invited 
prominent  men  of  the  State  to  assist  in  the  demonstration, 
arranging  for  extra  trains  from  every  direction.  A  large  dele 
gation  went  to  Michigan  City  to  escort  Douglas  in  triumph 
to  Chicago.  All  along  the  route  it  had  been  arranged  for 
the  special  train  to  stop,  so  that  the  great  crowds  of  people 
might  have  an  opportunity  to  see  Douglas  and  allow  him 
briefly  to  address  them.  On  the  arrival  of  the  train  at 
the  depot  in  Chicago  a  multitude  greeted  him,  and  as 
the  party  drove  from  the  depot  to  the  Tremont  House  the 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  61 

crowd  pressed  around  Douglas's  carriage  so  closely  that  it  was 
with  difficulty  the  horses  could  move.  Such  cheering  and 
huzzaing  had  never  before  been  heard.  Handkerchiefs,  hats, 
and  banners  were  waved,  and  every  kind  of  demonstration 
that  could  be  conceived  was  indulged  in  by  the  people.  The 
city  was  elaborately  decorated  and  brilliantly  illuminated  at 
night.  Reaching  the  Tremont  House,  then  Chicago's  best 
hotel,  appearing  on  a  balcony  on  the  Lake  Street  side,  Douglas 
addressed  the  assembled  thousands,  Mr.  Lincoln  being  among 
the  number  of  hearers.  The  press  contained  a  glowing  de 
scription  of  the  whole  affair,  which  in  those  days  was  a  mar 
vellous  one  in  point  of  numbers,  character  of  the  participants, 
enthusiasm,  and  grandeur  of  display.  Now,  alas!  every  trace 
of  that  momentous  occasion  has  been  obliterated  by  time 
and  the  great  fire  of  '71,  which  destroyed  all  the  landmarks, 
even  the  Tremont  Hotel,  that  had  been  the  headquarters  of 
Illinois'  greatest  men  and  the  rendezvous  of  politicians  of  all 
parties.  Nearly  all  the  conspicuous  men  taking  part  in  that 
occasion  are  also  gone,  but  few,  if  any,  of  the  committee  sur 
viving. 

I  always  like  to  think  of  Mr.  Lincoln  as  he  was  in  the  days 
when  I  saw  him  with  the  eyes  of  an  opponent.  His  awk 
wardness  has  not  been  exaggerated,  but  it  gave  no  effect  of 
self-consciousness.  There  was  something  about  his  ungain- 
liness  and  about  his  homely  face,  even  in  a  State  of  tall  and 
ungainly  men,  which  would  have  made  any  one  who  simply 
passed  him  in  the  street  or  saw  him  sitting  on  a  platform  re 
member  him.  "  There  ain't  no  one  else  and  there  never  was 
any  one  jest  like  Abe  Lincoln,"  as  an  old  farmer  said.  His 
very  awkwardness  was  an  asset  in  public  life,  in  that  it  at 
tracted  attention  to  him,  and  it  seemed  to  enhance  the  appeal 
of  his  personality  when  he  spoke.  Any  one  who  was  intro 
duced  to  Lincoln  without  ever  having  heard  of  him  before, 
though  the  talk  was  commonplace,  would  be  inclined  to  want 
to  know  more  about  him. 


62  REMINISCENCES  OF 

Douglas  won  your  personal  support  by  the  magnetism  of 
his  personality.  Lincoln  did  not  seem  to  have  any  magnet 
ism,  though  of  course  he  had  the  rarest  and  most  precious 
kind.  He  seemed  able  to  brush  away  all  irrelevant  matters 
of  discussion,  and  to  be  earnestly  and  simply  logical.  In 
fact,  he  had  the  faculty  of  carrying  conviction.  At  a  time 
when  the  practice  of  oratory  as  an  art  was  the  rule  he  was 
without  affectation.  The  ungainly  form,  the  bony  face,  the 
strong,  sensitive  mouth,  the  quiet,  sad,  and  kindly  eyes,  were 
taking  you  out  of  yourself  into  unselfish  counsel. 

Give  Mr.  Lincoln  five  minutes  and  Mr.  Douglas  five  min 
utes  before  an  audience  who  knew  neither  and  Mr.  Douglas 
would  make  the  greater  impression;  but  give  them  each  an 
hour  and  the  contrary  would  be  true.  This  does  not  mean 
that  Douglas  was  not  sincere.  No  man  could  be  more  patri 
otic  or  sincere  than  Stephen  A.  Douglas  was.  He  was  as 
earnest  in  his  belief  in  the  Tightness  of  his  position  as  Lincoln 
was  in  the  Tightness  of  his;  and  when  he  found  that  he  had 
been  in  error  no  man  of  pride  ever  acted  more  courageously 
in  admitting  it. 

Immediately  after  followed  the  first  meeting  of  the  cam 
paign,  Mr.  Lincoln  having  spoken  on  the  evening  of  the  loth, 
in  Chicago,  arraigning  Mr.  Douglas  in  the  strongest  terms. 
The  friends  of  Mr.  Douglas  planned  for  a  grand  demonstra 
tion  at  Springfield  on  the  iyth.  On  the  morning  of  the  i6th, 
on  a  special  train,  beautifully  decorated,  the  engine  bearing 
the  motto,  "S.  A.  Douglas,  the  Champion  of  Popular  Sov 
ereignty,"  a  large  committee  with  a  fine  band  of  music  ac 
companied  Douglas  to  Springfield.  At  every  town  en  route 
flags  were  flying,  cannons  were  booming,  and  immense  crowds 
were  gathered  at  the  station.  At  Bloomington,  where,  after 
speaking,  Douglas  was  to  rest  at  the  Loudon  House  for  a  few 
hours,  there  were  five  thousand  people  (a  great  number  for 
those  days)  gathered  at  the  depot.  Douglas's  appearance  on 
the  platform,  to  descend  to  a  carriage  in  which  he  was  to  be 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  63 

driven  to  the  hotel,  was  the  signal  for  prolonged  shouts.  It 
was  a  difficult  matter  for  the  marshals  to  make  way  for  the 
carriages  that  were  to  lead  the  procession,  so  many  were  de 
termined  to  escort  Douglas  to  the  hotel.  At  seven-thirty  in 
the  evening  he  was  to  speak  in  the  court-house  square,  the 
only  place  where  the  great  multitudes  could  be  accommo 
dated  or  be  able  to  hear  the  speeches.  The  whole  city,  es 
pecially  the  court-house  grounds,  was  brilliantly  illuminated, 
transparencies  and  gay  bunting  making  it  a  resplendent  scene. 
As  Douglas  reached  the  platform  the  cheering  was  deafening. 
He  defended  his  position  in  Congress,  appealed  to  the  people 
to  stand  by  him,  and  avowed  his  devotion  to  the  Union  and 
the  government.  The  people  applauded  him  vociferously. 
Mr.  Lincoln  made  it  a  point  to  go  to  the  Douglas  meeting 
and  to  listen  attentively.  The  following  morning  Douglas 
continued  his  journey  to  Springfield,  where  the  demonstra 
tions  were  even  greater  than  they  had  been  at  Bloomington. 
Up  to  this  time  Douglas  had  not  replied  to  Mr.  Lincoln's 
charges,  made  in  his  speech  accepting  the  nomination  of  the 
State  convention  as  candidate  for  senator,  in  which  he  said, 
in  substance,  that  Douglas,  Chief  Justice  Taney,  President 
Buchanan,  and  ex-President  Pierce  had  entered  into  a  con 
spiracy  to  prevent  and  overturn  the  Constitution  of  the  United 
States  and  establish  slavery  throughout  the  Republic.  He  ar 
raigned  them  in  the  following  forceful  words:  "I  charge  that 
the  people  had  been  deceived  in  carrying  the  last  presidential 
election  by  the  impression  that  the  people  of  a  Territory  might 
exclude  slavery  if  they  chose,  when  it  was  known  in  advance 
by  the  conspirators  that  the  count  was  to  decide — that  neither 
Congress  nor  the  people  could  so  extend  slavery."  In  one 
of  the  speeches  which  Mr.  Lincoln  made  after  Douglas  re 
turned  he  said:  "Judge  Douglas  has  carefully  read  and  re 
read  that  speech.  He  has  not,  so  far  as  I  know,  contradicted 
those  charges.  In  the  two  speeches  which  I  heard  he  cer 
tainly  did  not.  On  his  own  tacit  admission  I  renew  the 


64  REMINISCENCES  OF 

charge.  I  charge  him  with  having  been  a  party  to  that  con 
spiracy  and  to  that  deception,  for  the  sole  purpose  of  nation 
alizing  slavery." 

Douglas  was  advertised  to  speak  at  Clinton  July  27.  The 
wide-spread  publication  of  Mr.  Lincoln's  reiteration  of  these 
charges  augmented,  if  possible,  the  desire  to  hear  Douglas. 
An  innumerable  concourse  of  people,  therefore,  assembled 
at  Clinton.  The  papers  were  teeming  with  the  description 
of  the  arrival  of  the  throng.  From  daylight  in  the  morning 
they  came  into  the  town — on  horseback,  on  foot,  in  every 
imaginable  vehicle,  on  train,  and  every  way  possible.  The 
fair  grounds  where  the  speeches  were  to  be  made  were  at 
least  two  miles  from  the  railroad  depot.  It  was  said  the 
procession  reached  from  the  station  to  the  grounds;  all 
conceivable  devices  in  the  way  of  banners,  mottoes,  and 
flags  were  carried  in  the  procession,  a  remarkable  feature 
of  which  was  thirty-six  ladies  and  gentlemen  mounted  on 
horseback,  representing  all  the  States  in  the  Union.  The 
goddess  of  liberty  was  represented  by  a  beautiful  young 
woman,  wearing  a  dress  composed  of  the  Stars  and  Stripes. 
A  liberty  cap  crowned  her  head,  and  she  sat  her  charger  like 
a  veritable  Joan  of  Arc,  indifferent  to  the  scorching  rays  of  a 
midsummer  sun,  or  the  dust  which  was  almost  suffocating. 
As  soon  as  Douglas  began  his  speech  all  was  quiet  from  the 
earnest  desire  of  the  whole  multitude  to  hear  him.  After 
again  going  over  the  many  questions  involved,  he  replied  to 
Mr.  Lincoln's  charges  in  these  words:  "I  did  not  answer 
these  charges  before  for  the  reason  I  did  not  suppose  there 
was  a  man  in  America  whose  heart  was  so  corrupt  as  for  an 
instant  to  believe  that  such  a  charge  could  be  true.  I  did 
not  think  that  any  man  in  America  believed  that  Chief  Jus 
tice  Taney  and  his  associates  on  the  Supreme  Bench,  and 
two  Presidents  of  the  United  States,  to  say  nothing  of  myself, 
could  be  guilty  of  a  conspiracy,  involving  such  turpitude  and 
such  infamy.  I  had  too  much  respect  for  Mr.  Lincoln  to 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  65 

suppose  he  was  serious  in  making  the  charge.  He  says  now 
that  he  did  not  know  the  charge  was  true  when  he  made  it; 
that  he  had  no  personal  knowledge  of  the  truth  of  it.  I  then 
asked  him  'Why  such  a  charge?'  I  reminded  him  there  is 
as  much  corruption  in  making  a  charge  without  knowing  it 
to  be  true,  as  there  is  in  making  one  and  knowing  it  to  be 
false.  It  is  as  dishonest  to  charge  that  which  you  do  not 
know  to  be  true  as  it  is  to  tell  an  open  lie;  and  yet  he  now 
confesses  that  he  made  the  charge  against  the  judges  of  the 
Supreme  Bench,  two  Presidents  of  the  United  States,  and  my 
self  without  knowing  whether  it  was  true  or  false.  Mr.  Lin 
coln  can  lay  down  that  rule  of  action  for  himself  in  his  con 
duct  towards  others  which  he  thinks  proper,  but  I  should  deem 
that  I  had  forfeited  my  character  as  an  honorable  man  if  I 
should  make  a  charge  against  him  of  moral  turpitude  without 
knowing  it  to  be  true  at  the  time  I  made  it."  He  further 
declared  that  he  had  never  spoken  to  any  member  of  the 
court  on  the  subject  of  the  Dred  Scott  decision;  that  the 
introduction  of  the  Nebraska  bill  was  prior  to  the  decision, 
hence  Douglas's  part  of  the  conspiracy  was  impossible;  that 
Buchanan  was  at  the  court  of  Saint  James  when  the  Ne 
braska  bill  was  introduced,  therefore  they  could  not  have  had 
a  conspiracy  over  the  question.  Continuing  in  the  most  ear 
nest  strain,  he  spoke  for  two  hours  and  a  half,  and  still  the 
crowd  yelled,  "Go  on!" 

Such  strong  language  from  such  strong  men,  and  the  un 
mistakable  determination  on  the  part  of  each  leader  to  carry 
the  warfare  to  the  bitter  end,  served  to  inspire  violent  antago 
nisms.  Clubs  were  organized  bearing  the  names  of  Lincoln 
and  Douglas,  and  the  famed  "Wide  Awakes"  created  great 
enthusiasm  wherever  they  appeared.  They  were  uniformed 
and  armed  with  torches,  and  carried  banners  with  pictures 
of  their  favorites,  and  mottoes  of  all  kinds,  and  quotations 
from  the  speeches  of  their  leaders.  So  numerous  were  the 
political  meetings  and  so  intense  was  the  excitement,  that 


66  REMINISCENCES   OF 

people  did  little  else  but  attend  political  demonstrations  and 
talk  politics. 

Mr.  Lincoln  spoke  in  the  evening  to  a  large  crowd  who 
remained  to  hear  him,  Douglas  being  obliged  to  leave  so  as 
to  reach  his  appointment  at  Monticello.  Before  going,  how 
ever,  he  and  Lincoln  had  a  long  interview  to  arrange  about 
the  famous  joint  discussions,  Lincoln  promising  to  advise 
Douglas  as  to  time  and  places.  They  would  necessarily  have 
to  begin  at  the  close  of  the  appointments  already  made  by 
Douglas,  which  were  to  end  at  Ottawa,  August  21,  1858. 

At  each  of  those  places  the  demonstrations  were  unparal 
leled  by  anything  ever  known  in  the  State,  each  place  trying 
to  outdo  the  other  in  the  magnificence  of  its  processions,  dec 
orations,  and  the  enthusiasm  with  which  the  people  showered 
honors  upon  the  "Little  Giant." 

Very  soon  after  the  meeting  at  Clinton,  through  correspond 
ence,  they  agreed  as  to  places  and  dates  for  the  joint  dis 
cussions.  They  were  to  alternate  in  opening  and  closing. 
In  the  intervals  each  was  to  fill  his  own  appointments  at 
other  places  in  the  State.  By  looking  over  the  list  it  will  be 
seen  they  were  in  every  section  of  the  State,  from  one  extreme 
to  the  other.  The  towns  in  themselves  were  small,  but  the 
country  surrounding  them  was  well  populated.  The  gener 
ous  preparations  by  the  people  for  the  occasions  were  on  a 
prodigal  scale;  prominent  men  at  every  town  took  conspicu 
ous  parts  as  committeemen,  marshals,  and  entertainers.  At 
Beardstown,  when  Douglas  spoke,  it  appeared  that,  as  if  by 
magic,  more  people  were  brought  together  than  resided  near 
enough  to  be  present,  so  incredible  was  their  number.  The 
procession  was  almost  endless,  led  by  thirty-six  young  ladies 
on  horseback,  each  carrying  a  banner  with  the  name  of  the 
State  she  represented.  Then  followed  innumerable  banners 
with  mottoes  of  all  kinds:  "S.  A.  Douglas,  the  Champion  of 
Right,"  "The  Constitution,"  "The  Union  as  it  is,  and  Fidel 
ity  to  Correct  Principles,"  and  many  others.  A  delegation 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  67 

from  Chandlerville  carried  a  banner  illustrating  Lincoln's  ex 
pression:  "A  living  dog  is  better  than  a  dead  lion."  Mr. 
Lincoln  had  referred  to  Douglas  as  a  caged,  toothless  lion, 
and  himself  a  living  dog.  On  the  banner  was  a  picture  of  a 
lion  full  of  strength  with  a  dog  lying  down  marked  "Spot." 
"The  lion  is  alive,  the  dog  is  dead,"  was  written  beneath. 
There  were  many  other  pictures  representing  the  prominent 
features  of  the  campaign.  At  Havana  the  crowd  was  also 
very  large.  Douglas  spoke  there  one  day  and  Lincoln  the 
next.  Lincoln  began  his  speech  by  saying  he  had  borrowed 
a  clean  shirt  in  which  to  appear,  as  he  had  filled  his  carpet 
bag  with  documents,  more  important  than  clean  clothes. 

August  21  was  an  eventful  day  in  Illinois  as  the  opening 
of  the  memorable  joint  discussion  between  Douglas  and  Lin 
coln  at  Ottawa,  one  of  the  oldest  towns  in  the  State  and  then 
the  home  of  many  distinguished  people.  From  daylight  till 
three  o'clock  the  people  came  in  every  conceivable  convey 
ance.  Badges,  banners,  streamers,  and  flags  were  seen  every 
where;  even  the  horses  they  rode  or  drove  were  gayly  be 
decked  with  the  national  colors.  Douglas  came  into  town  in 
a  carriage  escorted  by  hundreds  on  horseback — Mr.  Lincoln 
coming  by  train  from  the  neighboring  town  of  Morris.  They 
had  both  been  speaking  much  of  the  time  since  the  loth  of 
July,  and  the  contest  was  then  at  fever  heat.  Douglas  was 
introduced  first  by  Colonel  W.  H.  Cushman,  in  an  eloquent 
speech  going  over  all  the  issues  of  the  campaign.  Mr.  Lin 
coln's  speech  followed,  in  which  he  came  back  at  Douglas  with 
his  conclusions,  charges,  and  explanations.  Douglas  again  re 
plied.  The  vast  audiences  were  electrified  by  the  remark 
able  speeches  of  both  Douglas  and  Lincoln.  Mr.  Lincoln 
was  ill  and  should  not  have  spoken.  His  effort  completely 
exhausted  him,  and  he  had  to  be  lifted  from  the  stand  and 
supported  by  his  friends  to  the  carriage. 

Caricatures,  processions,  and  campaign  methods  have  ever 
been  much  the  same.  We  remember  that  at  Bloomington, 


68  REMINISCENCES  OF 

on  the  4th  of  August,  when  Mr.  Lincoln  spoke,  they  had  in 
the  procession  a  coffin,  covered  with  black  and  hauled  on  a 
dray,  which  was  labelled  in  large  letters:  "The  Remains  of  the 
Democratic  Party."  Mr.  Lincoln  was  the  guest  of  his  life 
long  friend,  Hon.  David  Davis,  and  both  enjoyed  the  mourn 
ful  spectacle,  as  well  as  many  other  comic  features  of  the 
procession.  There  was  not  the  slightest  abatement  in  the 
public  interest  until  the  close  of  the  very  last  debate  at  Alton, 
on  October  15.  The  result  of  the  election  in  November  showed 
a  revolution  in  public  sentiment  and  aroused  a  great  admi 
ration  in  the  public  mind  for  Mr.  Lincoln,  which  culminated, 
as  the  world  knows,  in  his  nomination  to  the  Presidency  in 
1860,  notwithstanding  his  failure  of  election  to  the  Senate  in 
1858. 

John  A.  Logan  was  then  a  young  man  of  thirty-two  years. 
All  of  his  associations,  affiliations,  and  teachings  had  been 
under  Democratic  influence.  He  was  a  strong  partisan  and 
an  ardent  admirer  of  Mr.  Douglas.  He  accompanied  Mr. 
Douglas  almost  everywhere,  and  indulged  me  to  the  extent 
of  taking  me  with  him.  Young  as  I  was,  I  was  a  close  ob 
server  of  everything  that  occurred.  The  masterful  speeches 
of  these  intellectual  giants  was  a  revelation  in  matters  political. 

Mr.  Logan's  faith  in  the  doctrines  of  the  Democratic  party 
began  to  waver.  He  became  convinced  by  Mr.  Lincoln's 
declaration  that  the  Union  could  not  be  perpetuated  with  "one 
half  free  and  one  half  slave,"  and  also  began  to  doubt  many 
of  the  theories  advocated  by  Mr.  Douglas.  He  was  deeply 
concerned  over  the  situation  of  affairs,  and  talked  to  me  much 
about  the  madness  of  the  Southern  leaders  of  his  party.  He 
remained  loyal  to  Mr.  Douglas  and  the  party  until  the  firing 
upon  Sumter,  which  he  considered  the  death-knell  to  all  hope 
of  a  compromise  that  would  avert  the  calamity  of  a  civil  war. 
His  whole  nature  recoiled  at  thought  of  a  disruption  of  the 
Union  and  treason  against  the  government.  In  the  light 
of  the  firing  upon  the  flag,  he  felt  there  was  no  longer  any 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  69 

middle  ground,  and  declared  a  man  must  be  either  for  or 
against  his  country.  He  therefore  resigned  his  seat  in  Con 
gress  and  entered  the  army  for  the  preservation  of  the  Union. 
Notwithstanding  the  fact  that  all  these  things  are  familiar 
to  the  survivors  of  my  generation,  I  write  them  for  those  of 
the  present  and  future  generations  who  have,  and  will  inherit, 
the  inestimable  blessings  of  a  redeemed  republic. 


CHAPTER  IV 

MR.  LOGAN  ELECTED  TO  THE  THIRTY- SEVENTH  CONGRESS  —  THE 
JOURNEY  TO  WASHINGTON  —  RAILWAY  TRAVEL  IN  1859  — 
INSTALLED  AT  BROWN'S  HOTEL  —  THE  CAPITAL  DOMINATED  BY 
SLAVEHOLDERS  —  A  CAB  ADVENTURE  —  PRESIDENT  BUCHANAN 
AND  MISS  LANE  AT  THE  WHITE  HOUSE  —  RECEPTION  AT  SENA 
TOR  DOUGLAS'S  —  RE-ELECTION  OF  DOUGLAS  TO  THE  SENATE  — 

HIS  LOYALTY  TO  LINCOLN  —  ARRIVAL  OF  LINCOLN  IN  WASHING 
TON  —  THE  INAUGURATION  —  THE  CRISIS  AND  CURRENT  CON 
DITIONS  —  OUR  FIRST  STATE  DINNER  —  GENERAL  SOCIAL  FES 
TIVITIES  ON  THE  VERGE  OF  WAR  —  THE  THEATRES  —  FIRING 
ON  SUMTER  —  PUBLIC  OPINION  AT  HOME  —  LOGAN 'S  STAND  FOR 


As  soon  as  the  election  returns  were  in  and  Mr.  Logan  was 
declared  elected  to  represent  the  Ninth  Congressional  Dis 
trict  in  the  Thirty-seventh  Congress,  he  began  to  arrange 
his  affairs  to  go  on  to  Washington  to  be  sworn  in  March  4, 
1859.  We  went  to  Marion,  Williamson  County,  to  spend  the 
Christmas  holidays  with  my  father  and  mother,  and  to  visit 
Mother  Logan  who  lived  twenty-four  miles  west  of  Marion, 
at  Murphysboro,  Jackson  County.  On  account  of  the  dis 
comfort  of  travelling  in  winter,  we  were  afraid  to  take  our 
little  daughter,  then  but  a  few  months  old,  on  so  long  a 
journey  in  February.  My  husband  therefore  went  on  to 
Washington  without  baby  and  me.  He  arranged  everything 
for  our  home,  when  we  should  come  the  following  December. 

I  spent  the  summer  arranging  our  household  affairs  that 
I  might  close  our  house,  and  in  the  far  more  difficult  task  of 
preparing  a  suitable  wardrobe  in  which  to  make  my  debut 
as  the  wife  of  a  popular  Congressman  from  the  West.  I  spent 
many  sleepless  nights  designing  costumes,  hats,  and  other 

70 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  71 

necessities  for  a  lady's  wardrobe.  We  were  too  far  from 
Saint  Louis  or  Chicago  for  me  to  avail  myself  of  city  dress 
makers  and  milliners;  consequently,  after  getting  together 
what  I  thought  would  be  passable,  I  waited  until  I  reached 
Washington  to  obtain  what  I  should  require  further. 

A  few  days  before  Thanksgiving  we  bade  good-by  to  the 
numerous  friends  and  neighbors  and  started,  via  the  Illinois 
Central  and  the  Ohio  and  Mississippi  Railroad,  to  Cincinnati; 
thence,  via  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  Railroad,  to  the  national 
capital. 

Going  to  Washington  in  those  days  was  a  very  different 
affair  from  that  of  the  present.  The  crude  railroading,  the 
uncomfortable,  barren,  low-berthed  sleeping-cars  can  never 
be  forgotten.  The  road-beds  were  rough,  and  the  rolling- 
stock  worse.  This,  together  with  the  zigzag  track  of  the 
Baltimore  and  Ohio  Railroad  through  the  Alleghany  Moun 
tains,  made  travelling  a  question  of  physical  endurance;  get 
ting  over  ground  more  rapidly  than  by  the  primitive  stage 
coach  was  at  the  cost  of  many  an  aching  bone  and  dizzy  head. 
The  untidy  condition  of  the  best  sleeping-cars  was  intolerable. 
I  had  never  before  crossed  the  Alleghany  Mountains,  and  re 
member  vividly  the  struggle  between  the  desire  to  sit  up  and 
feast  my  eyes  upon  the  grand  scenery  of  the  mountains  and 
the  Cheat  River  Valley,  with  that  enchanting  river  appearing 
and  disappearing  from  view  as  the  train  sped  on  through  tun 
nels  and  around  the  craggy  points  of  the  range  through  which 
the  river  flows,  and  the  tremendous  effort  it  required  to  keep 
from  yielding  to  the  desperate  car-sickness  and  fatigue  inci 
dent  to  travelling  under  circumstances  then  inevitable.  All 
trains  were  late,  overcrowded,  and  uncomfortable.  We  had 
to  change  frequently.  At  Bellaire  the  cars  were  transported 
across  the  river  on  a  boat;  the  mountains  at  some  places 
were  crossed  by  the  switchback  system.  From  the  time  one 
embarked  till  dropped  at  the  old  Baltimore  and  Ohio  Depot  in 
Washington  one  suffered  incessantly  either  with  fatigue,  terror 


72  REMINISCENCES  OF 

on  account  of  the  tortuous  heights  and  crooked  track,  or  suf 
focation  from  the  tunnels  and  vile  air  of  the  cars.  Eating- 
stations  were  few  and  far  between,  and  the  improvident,  who 
had  no  luncheon  provided,  had  to  endure  the  pangs  of  hunger; 
and  when  children  were  of  the  number  their  cries  added  addi 
tional  annoyance  to  passengers.  We  had,  among  others,  as 
travelling  companions,  the  Hon.  and  Mrs.  S.  S.  Cox.  Mr.  Cox 
was  then  a  member  of  Congress  from  Ohio,  and  was  full  of  life 
and  good  stories,  which  he  told  so  well  that  he  made  every 
body  cheerful  and  enabled  many  to  forget  their  discomfort. 
Others  included  the  eloquent  Dick  Barrett,  of  Saint  Louis; 
Colonel  Ross  and  J.  C.  Robinson,  members  of  Congress  from 
Illinois;  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Oscar  Turner,  of  Louisville,  Kentucky; 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stillwell,  of  Indiana. 

The  Relay  House  was  then  the  last  stopping-place  for  meals 
before  reaching  Washington.  Hungry  and  weary,  we  all  re 
sponded  with  avidity  to  the  supper-call,  entering  the  typical 
Southern  dining-room  of  the  hotel,  to  be  served  with  a  deli 
cious  Southern  supper  of  fried  chicken,  corn  bread,  baked 
sweet  potatoes,  fresh  biscuit,  butter,  honey,  tea,  and  coffee. 
As  the  door  swung  open  between  the  kitchen  and  dining-room, 
while  the  waiters  went  in  and  out  serving  the  supper,  the  old 
black  cook  with  her  bandanna  turban  could  be  seen  busy  with 
implements  of  her  profession,  dishing  toothsome  fruits  of  her 
cunning  in  the  art  of  the  cuisine,  and  could  be  heard  at  the  same 
time  delivering  lectures  to  the  audacious  Sambos  and  Cuffys 
for  the  want  of  manners  they  displayed  while  filling  the  orders 
of  the  guests.  Before  realizing  that  twenty  minutes  had  ex 
pired,  the  conductor's  cry  of  "all  aboard"  made  us  drop  the 
biscuit  and  honey  and  hurry  to  the  train. 

Reaching  Washington  in  the  early  evening,  we  had  scarcely 
descended  from  the  cars  before  the  rush  of  burly  hackmen 
crying:  "This  way  for  Brown's  Hotel!"  "This  way  for  the 
National!"  "This  way  for—"  this  and  that  hotel  and  lodg 
ing-house,  almost  deafened  and  completely  terrified  me.  Un- 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  73 

sophisticated  as  I  then  was,  I  felt  I  was  to  be  the  victim 
of  a  mob;  but  under  the  guidance  of  Mr.  Logan,  to  whom 
the  whole  proceeding  was  not  a  novelty,  we  were  soon  en 
sconced  in  Brown's  Hotel  omnibus  and  driven  to  that  hotel, 
and  to  my  dying  day  I  shall  remember  the  kindly  greeting  of 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Brown  (parents  of  Mrs.  Richard  Wallach),  the 
worthy  proprietors.  Their  son-in-law,  Mayor  Wallach,  was 
a  friend  of  Mr.  Logan,  and  through  him  they  had  been 
advised  of  our  coming,  and  right  royally  did  they  receive  us. 
I  felt  that  in  Mrs.  Brown  I  had  a  refuge  in  all  the  dilemmas 
that  awaited  the  timid  young  wife  of  a  Western  Congressman. 
This  city  was  then  dominated  by  the  aristocratic  slaveholders 
of  the  South,  who  looked  upon  the  North  and  West  as  "mud 
sills  and  drudges,"  quite  unworthy  of  much  consideration; 
and  far  too  often  a  swaggering  manner  and  a  retinue  of  col 
ored  slaves  gave  a  man  a  prestige  over  others  of  scholarly 
attainments,  simple  habits,  and  no  attendants.  The  hotel 
was  quite  full  of  the  most  pronounced  of  the  aristocratic 
type  who  were  then  threatening  disunion.  Among  them  were 
Wigfall,  of  Texas;  Keit,  of  South  Carolina;  Mason  and  Har 
ris,  of  Virginia;  Benjamin,  of  Louisiana;  Slidell  and  Barks- 
dale,  of  Mississippi;  and  a  legion  of  others  who  were  subse 
quently  leaders  in  the  Confederacy,  and  who  have  since  paid 
the  debt  that  all  must  pay  sooner  or  later.  Daily,  during  the 
dinner-hour,  discussions  were  heated  and  often  quite  boister 
ous.  Sometimes  it  seemed  that  a  collision  was  imminent  at 
the  table,  ladies  frequently  appearing  with  secession  cockades, 
which  gave  encouragement  to  the  advocates  of  secession.  At 
first  I  used  to  listen  to  these  discussions  in  mortal  terror,  and 
sometimes  was  almost  persuaded  that  the  boasted  prowess 
of  the  Southern  men  was  a  reality.  I  often  wondered  upon 
what  they  fed  that  they  should  be  so  boastful;  my  heart, 
meanwhile,  praying  that,  should  the  conflict  ever  come, 
Heaven  might  protect  the  Union  and  give  to  its  defenders 
strength  to  save  it  from  dismemberment. 


74  REMINISCENCES  OF 

Impatient  to  secure  a  presentable  wardrobe,  and  disliking 
to  take  up  my  husband's  time,  or  that  of  Mrs.  Brown,  to  ac 
company  me  on  a  shopping  tour,  one  morning  I  started  out 
alone.  It  was  easy  enough  to  wander  down  Pennsylvania 
Avenue  to  Perry's  and  John  T.  Mitchell's  dry-goods  stores, 
and  to  find  all  I  dared  purchase  with  my  limited  purse.  Feel 
ing  that  I  had  achieved  wonders,  I  started  to  return  to  the 
hotel;  but,  after  walking  quite  a  distance  and  looking  about 
carefully  for  landmarks  and  failing  to  find  one,  I  went  to 
the  corner  of  Seventh  and  C  Streets,  the  old  carriage  stand, 
got  into  one  of  the  vehicles  and  told  the  driver  to  take  me  to 
Brown's  Hotel.  Turning  around  the  corner  he  halted  at  the 
ladies'  entrance  half  a  block  from  where  I  had  entered  the 
carriage.  He  charged  me  a  dollar  which  I  paid  without  de 
murring,  and  hurried  to  my  room.  Subsequently,  I  discov 
ered  that  I  had  gone  down  C  Street  in  the  rear  of  the  hotel, 
forgetting,  when  I  attempted  to  return,  the  oblique  direction 
of  the  avenue.  I  waited  many  months  before  telling  my 
experience  to  my  husband,  who  enjoyed  repeating  the  story 
at  my  expense  for  the  amusement  of  his  friends,  and  it  was 
a  long  time  before  I  heard  the  last  of  my  first  shopping  expe 
dition  in  Washington. 

To  visit  the  Capitol  and  public  buildings  and  familiarize 
myself  with  the  objects  of  interest  which  the  city  contained 
kept  me  busy  for  some  time.  Congress  had  adjourned  for 
the  holidays  before  we  felt  prepared  to  make  our  debut,  and 
begin  the  rounds  of  calls  obligatory  upon  the  wife  of  a  new 
member,  if  she  expects  to  hold  any  place  in  the  social  world 
at  the  capital.  New  Year's,  1860, 1  first  witnessed  the  cere 
monies  of  that  day.  Going  to  the  White  House,  upon  invi 
tation  of  Mr.  Buchanan,  we  watched  with  admiration  the 
President,  with  all  the  dignity  natural  to  him,  and  Miss 
Lane,  with  graciousness  unsurpassed  by  any  of  her  prede 
cessors  or  successors,  receive  the  official  calls.  The  Diplo 
matic  Corps,  Cabinet,  Supreme  Court,  Congress,  and  the 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  75 

whole  list  of  officials  then,  as  now,  paid  their  respects  to 
the  President  on  that  day.  The  music  of  the  Marine 
Band,  under  the  direction  of  Professor  Scala;  the  gay 
uniforms  and  decorations  of  the  foreigners,  our  army  and 
navy,  and  the  beautiful  toilets  of  the  ladies  made  an  impres 
sion  upon  me  that  can  never  be  effaced.  My  ideas  of  demo 
cratic  simplicity  fled  precipitately,  and  I  stood  aghast  fancy 
ing  no  imperial  court  could  rival  our  republican  government 
in  ostentatious  display.  While  Washington  was  not  the  city 
it  is  to-day  in  population  and  improvement,  there  were  aris 
tocratic  and  pretentious  people  who  made  the  most  of  such 
occasions,  and  allowed  no  opportunity  to  pass  without  avail 
ing  themselves  of  it  to  display  their  gorgeous  resources. 

Senator  and  Mrs.  Douglas  had  invited  me  to  come  and 
assist  them  in  receiving  their  friends.  This  was  my  first  ex 
perience  in  participating  as  an  assistant  to  a  hostess  on  such 
an  occasion.  Senator  and  Mrs.  Douglas  lived  on  I  Street  in 
the  house  more  recently  occupied  by  the  late  Justice  Bradley. 
Their  home  was  one  of  the  most  ambitious  in  the  city,  with 
its  lovely  picture  gallery,  spacious  drawing-rooms,  fine  library, 
and  luxurious  surroundings.  Adjoining  was  the  home  of  Sen 
ator  Rice,  of  Minnesota;  that  of  Senator  Breckenridge,  of  Ken 
tucky,  adjoined  Rice's.  All  day  the  callers  came  and  went. 
Mrs.  Douglas,  one  of  the  most  diplomatic  women  of  her  time, 
received  her  guests  with  matchless  grace  and  cordiality,  pre 
senting  them  to  her  assistants  in  such  a  way  as  to  put  them 
at  ease  and  banish  their  shyness.  Most  elaborate  refresh 
ments,  including  egg-nog  and  wines  of  all  kinds,  were  served 
in  the  dining-room;  while  Senator  Douglas,  with  his  wonderful 
charm  of  manner,  entertained  in  the  library  those  who  lin 
gered  as  long  as  politeness  would  permit.  It  was  long  before 
we  slept  that  night:  the  excitement  of  the  day,  the  glittering 
panorama  of  the  reception,  the  novelty  of  meeting  so  many 
people,  the  enjoyment  of  hearing  the  bright  sallies  and  con 
versation  of  the  distinguished  callers  had  enchanted  me,  but 


76  REMINISCENCES  OF 

through  it  all  forebodings  of  the  impending  " crisis"  stirred 
my  soul.  The  ambition  of  reckless  spirits,  who  had  for  so 
long  ruled  the  land,  the  arrogance  of  the  slaveholders  in  their 
possessions,  all  tended  to  keep  the  political  excitement  at 
fever  heat.  Events  occurring  in  the  Capitol  were  reflected 
in  society.  The  absorbing  topics  under  discussion  could  not 
be  dropped  even  in  the  drawing-room.  Participants  in  the 
debates  in  the  halls  of  Congress  could  not  forget  the  subject 
when  they  met  for  social  intercourse.  The  very  sight  of  each 
other  suggested  continuation  of  their  discussions.  Illinois  was 
then  represented  in  the  United  States  Senate  by  William  A. 
Richardson  and  Stephen  A.  Douglas.  Douglas's  time  was  to 
expire  on  the  4th  of  March  following.  In  the  House  of  Repre 
sentatives  there  were  elected  in  November,  1858,  from  the 
First  Congressional  District,  Hon.  E.  B.  Washburne;  Second, 
John  F.  Farnsworth;  Third,  Owen  Lovejoy;  Fourth,  William 
Kellogg;  Fifth,  I.  N.  Morris;  Sixth,  John  A.  McClernand; 
Seventh,  James  C.  Robinson;  Eighth,  P.  B.  Foulke;  Ninth, 
John  A.  Logan — forming  a  galaxy  of  as  strong  men  as  the 
State  has  ever  had  in  Congress;  and  it  was  not  surprising  that 
such  representatives  were  destined  to  be  conspicuous  in  the 
thrilling  events  that  took  place  in  the  decade  following. 
WThile  the  legislature  was  Democratic,  Mr.  Lincoln  having 
carried  the  State  by  the  popular  vote  the  fear  that  Mr. 
Douglas  would  not  be  returned  to  the  Senate  was  greatly 
augmented.  When  the  legislature  convened,  there  assembled 
at  Springfield  a  great  number  of  persons  from  all  over  the 
State  who  desired  to  influence  its  action.  It  was  evident  to 
the  most  stupid  observer  that  Mr.  Lincoln  had  made  a 
national  reputation  during  the  campaign,  and  especially 
in  the  joint  discussions,  and  that  in  his  questions  put  to 
Douglas  on  the  subject  of  slavery  in  the  Territories  he 
had  set  many  men  to  questioning  whether  or  not  the  policy 
of  Mr.  Douglas  was  a  safe  one  for  the  best  interests  of  the 
country  north  of  the  Mason  and  Dixon  line;  whether  it  was 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  77 

not  true  that  the  country  could  no  longer  exist  "half  slave 
and  half  free,"  and  whether  or  not,  also,  the  slaveholders  were 
determined  to  extend  slavery  or  dissolve  the  Union.  Every 
man  in  the  legislature  was  watched  with  jealous  eyes  lest  he 
might  falter  in  his  allegiance  to  his  party,  and  thereby  defeat 
party  supremacy.  The  contest  was  long  and  bitter,  until, 
finally,  Douglas  was  re-elected  to  the  Senate,  but,  as  was  pre 
dicted  at  the  time,  at  the  expense  of  his  Presidential  hopes 
and  prospects,  as  beyond  all  doubt  the  fame  acquired  by 
Mr.  Lincoln  as  the  nominee  of  the  Republican  party  for  the 
Senate  in  the  celebrated  campaign  of  1858  and  the  division 
of  Democratic  sentiment  as  to  Douglas  gave  Lincoln  the 
nomination  for  the  Presidency  in  1860. 

But  one  issue  was  before  the  people,  and  that  was  the  ques 
tion  of  slavery  and  its  extension  in  the  Territories.  The  pro- 
slavery  party  would  listen  to  nothing  but  an  espousal  of  their 
cause  absolutely;  and  the  antislavery  party  would  listen  to 
no  uncertain  sound  on  that  question — nothing  but  the  pro 
hibition  of  slavery  in  the  Territories  would  satisfy  their  de 
mands.  Hence  there  was  little  chance  for  a  compromise 
man  to  accomplish  much.  The  two  wings  of  the  Democratic 
party  were  just  as  much  at  variance  as  were  the  Republican 
and  Democratic  parties,  and  when  the  conventions  met  the 
rupture  came  with  full  force,  so  that  the  result  of  the  cam 
paign  of  1860  was  not  a  surprise  to  Mr.  Douglas  and  his  ad 
herents.  But,  with  his  hopeful  spirit,  he  thought  something 
might  still  be  done,  and  we  remember  well  how,  during  the 
whole  winter  preceding  the  firing  on  Sumter,  day  after  day 
he  pleaded  with  leaders  for  a  compromise,  and  with  what 
anxiety  he  watched  the  gathering  storm  and  longed  to  avert 
the  ''irrepressible  conflict."  I  remember,  too,  how  eagerly 
he  joined  the  venerable  John  J.  Crittenden  in  his  "compro 
mise"  proposition,  and  how,  night  after  night,  the  young 
men  of  his  party  met  at  his  house  and  counselled  with  him  as 
to  what  should  be  done,  and  how  his  great  soul  recoiled  at  the 


78  REMINISCENCES   OF 

thought  of  a  dismemberment  of  the  Union!  I  remember  his 
likening  himself  to  a  shuttle,  going  from  side  to  side,  between 
the  warp  and  the  woof  of  party  threads,  trying  to  weave  a 
harmonious  fabric,  but  often  entangled  in  the  meshes  of  the 
political  web.  He  was  loyal  to  the  core,  and  yet  his  affilia 
tions  had  all  been  with  the  South.  His  first  wife  was  a  South 
ern  lady,  and  his  sons  were  then  with  their  kindred  in  North 
Carolina.  At  times  he  felt  most  keenly  his  impotency  to  ac 
complish  anything  on  the  peace  commission,  even  to  post 
pone  the  evil  hour.  I  remember  once  when  it  was  discovered 
that  the  conspirators  had  been  holding  secret  meetings  in 
the  room  of  the  Senate  military  committee,  of  which  Jeffer 
son  Davis  was  chairman,  Douglas  came  to  our  rooms  man 
ifesting  the  greatest  possible  distress.  They  had  been  ar 
ranging  for  secession  and  even  for  the  resistance  of  Mr. 
Lincoln's  inauguration.  As  Douglas  talked  the  matter  over 
with  Mr.  Logan  (then  a  member  of  the  House)  great  tears 
stood  in  his  earnest  eyes,  and  he  said:  "It  is  no  use. 
If  you  gave  these  men  a  blank  sheet  of  paper  and  asked 
them  to  write  down  terms  of  compromise  under  which  they 
would  agree  to  remain  in  the  Union,  they  would  not  write 
them."  He  added:  "I,  for  one,  can  not  be  a  party  to  the 
destruction  of  the  Government,  if  every  man  in  the  Demo 
cratic  party  is  with  them."  He  said  he  would  do  all  in  his 
power  to  give  Mr.  Lincoln  a  hearty  welcome  to  Washington 
and  insure  his  inauguration;  that  he  was  elected  by  the 
people,  and  should  be  inaugurated  at  all  hazards."  As  a 
senator  from  Illinois,  he  was  most  active  on  the  committee 
of  arrangements  for  the  inaugural  ceremonies,  going  with 
the  Illinois  delegation  to  pay  their  respects  to  Mr.  Lincoln 
as  soon  as  he  arrived.  He  shared  the  deep  solicitude  felt 
by  the  friends  of  Mr.  Lincoln  lest  some  madman  or  rampant 
secessionists  might  do  him  violence  before  his  inauguration. 
I  saw  much  of  Mr.  Douglas  during  those  anxious  days,  and 
know  that  he  suffered  acutely  all  the  time  over  the  condition 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  79 

of  affairs,  and  more  over  the  approaching  storm  of  rebellion 
than  over  his  own  disappointment  and  waning  political 
power. 

Matters  had  reached  such  a  climax  that  the  most  indif 
ferent  realized  that  the  nation's  weal  was  paramount  to  any  in 
dividual  consideration.  Men  of  affairs  moved  about  with  grave 
countenances,  absorbed  with  the  awful  thought  that  a  civil 
war  was  inevitable.  We  remember  perfectly  the  arrival  of 
Mr.  Lincoln  in  Washington,  and  the  relief  it  was  to  know 
that  nothing  had  befallen  him  en  route,  and  with  what  in 
tense  anxiety  many  watched  every  move  of  the  most  violent 
secessionists  all  Inauguration  Day.  With  bated  breath  I 
stood  on  the  balcony  of  the  Metropolitan  Hotel  (then  called 
Brown's)  and  watched  the  procession  wending  its  way  down 
Pennsylvania  Avenue  to  the  Capitol.  I  can  remember  ex 
actly  how  Mr.  Lincoln  looked  as  he  sat  beside  Senator  John 
P.  Hale,  of  New  Hampshire  (father  of  Mrs.  W.  E.  Chandler), 
so  calm  and  so  apparently  unaware  of  the  imminent  danger 
that  his  dearest  friends  apprehended.  I  saw  them  returning 
after  the  ceremonies,  and  was  deeply  impressed  by  the  change 
in  spirit  and  manner  of  the  multitudes  that  followed.  En 
route  for  the  inauguration  ceremonies  anxiety  and  appre 
hension  were  depicted  on  every  face.  Returning,  they  fol 
lowed  the  carriage  of  the  new  President,  shouting:  "Long  live 
the  President!"  But  when  nightfall  was  gathering  over  the 
city,  again  the  timid  began  to  quake  lest  some  evil  soul  might 
improve  his  opportunity  to  commit  some  violent  deed  under 
the  cover  of  darkness.  For  days  hope  and  fear,  security 
and  doubt,  succeeded  each  other  in  the  public  and  private 
mind.  Nominations  for  the  Cabinet  were  sent  in  and 
were,  of  course,  considered  firebrands  to  the  South,  whose 
representatives  one  by  one  departed  from  the  city  and  began 
their  work  all  over  the  South  for  the  establishment  of  the 
Confederacy.  Each  day  some  prominent  member  or  senator 
failed  to  answer  the  roll-call.  Mr.  Lincoln's  assurances  that 


8o  REMINISCENCES  OF 

he  knew  "no  North,  no  South,  no  East,  no  West/'  made  no 
impression,  and  were  considered  unreliable  by  the  leaders  of 
the  secession  movement.  First  one  State  and  then  another 
passed  secession  resolutions.  Then  came  echoes  of  the  fatal 
firing  on  Sumter  and  all  the  fearful  consequences  that  fol 
lowed.  Mr.  Lincoln,  with  the  deepest  anxiety  depicted  on 
his  face,  was  tireless  in  his  efforts  to  restrain  the  madmen 
who  were  precipitating  the  nation  into  a  civil  war.  He  re 
mained  almost  incessantly  in  his  office  or  closeted  with  some 
leading  spirit  through  whom  he  hoped  to  work  a  change  and 
heal  the  breach.  His  most  loyal  adherents  were  untried  men. 
He  was  ignorant  of  their  abilities  and  doubted  their  discretion. 
The  executive  departments  were  completely  demoralized.  The 
Treasury  and  arsenals  were  empty.  General  Winfield  Scott, 
the  general  of  the  army,  was  old  and  decrepit.  The  army 
was  at  its  lowest  ebb  in  numbers,  and  was  scattered  all  over  the 
vast  extent  of  the  country,  with  the  most  meagre  and  ineffi 
cient  communications  or  means  of  transportation.  The  In 
dians  were  more  numerous  and  savage  than  to-day.  Our  frail 
naval  fleet,  insignificant  in  the  number  of  ships  and  efficiency 
of  the  officers  and  men,  was  for  the  most  part  on  foreign  seas, 
the  rest  in  Southern  waters.  Fearing  the  Supreme  Court  to 
be  in  sympathy  with  secession,  apparently  a  great  republic 
was  tottering  to  its  fall.  Was  a  President-elect  ever  so  cir 
cumstanced?  Upon  him  alone  rested  the  responsibility  of  so 
directing  affairs  as  to  save  the  Union  from  dismemberment. 
Yet  he  was  without  absolute  authority,  and  wholly  dependent 
upon  the  legislative  branch  of  the  government  and  the  loy 
alty  of  the  people,  albeit  there  were  sounds  of  disloyalty  every 
where,  even  north  of  the  Mason  and  Dixon  line. 

Fortunately,  the  electric  shock  of  the  firing  on  Sumter  start 
led  the  whole  country,  awakened  the  latent  patriotism  of 
the  nation,  and  brought  to  Mr.  Lincoln  the  much-needed 
assurance  that  there  was  in  the  hearts  of  the  people  an  in 
domitable  love  of  country  that  would  sustain  him  in  all  re- 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  81 

spects  and  enable  him  to  fulfil  the  mission  for  which,  in  the 
retrospect,  he  seems  to  have  been  especially  called.  I  have 
often  thought  that  persons  who  to-day  criticise  the  manner 
in  which  things  were  done  then — particularly  the  tardiness 
which  characterized  the  organization  and  movements  of  the 
army  and  the  preparations  which  were  necessary  to  prosecute 
the  war,  seem  not  to  remember  the  difference  between  the 
situation  then  and  now  or  the  wonderful  progress  that  has 
been  made  for  the  transportation  and  mobilization  of  an 
army. 

Notwithstanding  the  undercurrent  of  political  excitement, 
social  gayety  at  the  capital  was  attempted,  and,  like  all  nov 
ices,  I  was  entranced  by  the  brilliancy  of  the  receptions,  balls, 
dinners,  and  other  entertainments  which  my  husband  and 
myself  attended.  At  times  I  felt  timid  and  so  unsophisti 
cated  that  I  feared  my  embarrassment  would  provoke  many 
a  smile  from  the  experienced  women  who  chaperoned  me  on 
occasions  of  great  importance.  No  more  courtly  President 
has  ever  been  in  the  White  House  than  James  Buchanan, 
whose  innate  refinement  and  dignified  manners  had  been 
greatly  enhanced  by  his  experience  at  the  court  of  Saint 
James.  His  charming  niece,  Miss  Harriet  Lane,  who  pre 
sided  as  mistress  of  the  White  House,  was  so  queenly  and  gra 
cious  always  that  she  has  had  no  superior  as  the  first  lady  of 
the  land.  I  shall  ever  bless  them  for  the  cordial  greeting 
extended  to  Mr.  Logan  and  myself  in  the  executive  man 
sion. 

Our  first  state  dinner  was  an  event  of  so  much  importance 
to  me  that  the  picture  of  the  table  will  be  in  my  mind  ever 
more.  It  was  an  elegant  affair,  notwithstanding  the  fact  that 
the  decorations  of  that  time  were  very  unlike  the  richer  dis 
plays  of  the  present  day.  I  remember  at  each  end  of  the 
Van  Buren  mirror,  with  its  filigree  railing  of  gold  bronze, 
that  formerly  adorned  the  centre  of  the  table  on  all  state 
occasions,  there  were  two  tall  gilt  baskets  in  which  were 


82  REMINISCENCES  OF 

arranged  plaster-of-Paris  fruits  painted  in  very  unnaturally 
bright  colors.  The  variety  included  oranges,  apples,  peaches, 
grapes,  etc.,  with  artificial  leaves  here  and  there  among  the 
mimic  fruits.  I  remember,  too,  the  historic  china,  with  the 
red  band  and  coat  of  arms  of  the  United  States  in  the 
centre.  The  gold-plated  spoons,  solid-silver  service,  and 
cut  glass,  though  familiar  to  me  since  from  frequent  dinings 
at  the  executive  mansion,  have  never  looked  half  so 
gorgeous. 

Though  delighted  over  the  invitation,  for  days  before  the 
affair  I  was  wholly  engrossed  by  the  momentous  questions  of 
what  I  should  wear;  what  I  should  do  when  I  got  there; 
and  how  I  should  ever  command  ideas  enough  to  carry  me 
safely  through  a  long  state  dinner  and  not  become  a  bore  to 
my  escort — that  was  the  rub.  Who  that  unfortunate  indi 
vidual  was  to  be  it  was  impossible  to  find  out.  Was  he  to 
be  a  personage  of  agreeable  manners,  or  arrogant,  pedantic, 
and  probably  patronizing?  Any  of  these  latter  characteristics 
would  make  me  so  unhappy  that  I  should  be  unable  to  appear 
to  any  advantage.  Then  if  he  betrayed  in  the  slightest  de 
gree  that  he  was  bored  or  really  endured  me  because  there 
was  no  escape  I  should  have  suffered  intensely.  I  was  proud 
of  my  husband,  whose  handsome  face  and  brilliant  conversa 
tion  would  charm  all  about  him,  but  for  myself  I  had  many 
misgivings  and  visions  of  hours  of  agony. 

However,  the  desire  to  see  the  pomp  and  display  of  a 
state  dinner  and  to  hear  the  conversation  of  the  distinguished 
guests  I  expected  to  meet  at  such  a  ceremonious  affair 
overcame  every  scruple.  Stephen  A.  Douglas  and  his  uni 
versally  admired  wife,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  John  C.  Breckenridge, 
Senator  and  Mrs.  Jefferson  Davis,  Senator  and  Mrs.  Yulee, 
Senator  and  Mrs.  Mason,  of  Virginia,  Senator  and  Mrs. 
Gwyn,  of  California,  Judah  P.  Benjamin,  Senator  and  Mrs. 
John  J.  Crittenden,  Colonel  Syms,  of  Kentucky,  the  Cabinet, 
and  many  others  to  the  number  of  forty  sat  down  to  that 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  83 

stately  dinner.  My  escort  was  Stephen  A.  Douglas,  and  of 
course  I  was  supremely  happy,  because  I  had  known  him 
from  girlhood  and  had  looked  up  to  him  as  a  great  leader 
and  most  charming  man  in  conversation.  He  was  the  per 
sonal  and  political  friend  of  my  father  and  my  husband,  and 
was  anxious  to  treat  me  with  every  consideration  for  their 
sakes.  Under  his  tactful  and  fascinating  conversation  I  soon 
forgot  my  misgivings,  and,  through  the  inspiration  of  the  re 
splendent  surroundings,  felt  never  so  proud  and  happy,  al 
though  now  and  then  in  the  sallies  of  the  leading  spirits  in 
the  conversation  that  went  round  the  table,  ominous  expres 
sions  were  made  that  caused  one  to  tremble  and  ask  one's  self: 
"Is  it  possible  that  there  is  one  of  this  distinguished  company 
who  would  raise  a  hand  against  the  flag  of  the  Union  or  break 
the  bonds  that  hold  the  grand  constellation  of  States  to 
gether?'7  I  little  thought  that  one  of  the  number  would  in 
a  brief  time  be  the  leader  and  President  of  the  Confederacy, 
directing  deadly  blows  against  a  government  that  had  be 
stowed  on  him  many  high  honors. 

Senator  and  Mrs.  Gwyn,  of  California,  entertained  very 
handsomely,  their  grand  balls  being  among  the  finest  given 
in  Washington.  For  years  their  hospitable  home  had  been 
the  attraction  for  the  most  distinguished  at  the  capital.  Peo 
ple  were  still  talking  of  their  famous  masquerade  ball,  given 
the  winter  before,  in  which  the  President  appeared  in  the 
court  dress  he  had  worn  at  Saint  James's.  Members  of  the 
Cabinet,  both  houses  of  Congress,  the  diplomatic  corps,  army, 
navy,  and  citizens  entered  into  its  spirit  with  enthusiasm, 
and,  all  in  fancy  costumes,  represented  royalty,  dramatic 
characters,  historic  personages,  great  warriors,  celebrated  ad 
mirals,  men  and  women  of  literary  distinction,  artists,  and 
many  others. 

Among  those  who  took  part  in  the  occasion  was  Mrs.  Wil 
liam  E.  Chandler,  then  young  Miss  Hale,  daughter  of  Senator 
Hale,  of  New  Hampshire,  who  appeared  as  Sunrise,  and  of 


84  REMINISCENCES   OF 

whom  Major  John  De  Havilland,  who  described  the  affair  in 
verse,  wrote: 

"I  marvel  not,  O  sun,  that  unto  thee 
In  adoration  men  should  bow  the  knee." 

Mrs.  Stephen  A.  Douglas,  subsequently  Mrs.  Williams, 
then  one  of  the  most  brilliant  and  beautiful  women  at  the 
capital,  representing  Aurora,  inspired  the  poet  to  the  fol 
lowing  description: 

"The  bright  Aurora  in  our  senses  gleams, 
Nor  yields  to  that  fair  daughter  of  the  morn, 
Whom  Guido  saw  on  car  triumphant  borne." 

She  was,  indeed,  "la  belle  au  bal"  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Coyle, 
Mrs.  Madison  Cutts,  Mrs.  Emery,  wife  of  General  Emery, 
and  Brady  the  artist  were  there,  though  not  in  masquerade. 
Nothing  of  later  days  has  excelled  the  stateliness  of  the  occa 
sion  in  all  its  appointments  or  the  illustrious  characters 
taking  part. 

Mayor  and  Mrs.  Wallach  gave  many  grand  dinners  and 
receptions  and  one  ball  so  resplendent  as  to  rival  anything, 
save  a  fancy-dress  affair.  We  recall  the  venerable  John  J. 
Crittenden  and  his  charming  wife,  whose  dignified  bearing 
and  genial  face  were  ever  pleasing  to  see;  Lord  Napier; 
the  French  minister;  Hon.  Anson  Burlingame;  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  C.  C.  Clay,  of  Alabama;  Mrs.  Greenough,  wife  of  the 
sculptor;  Hon.  Horatio  King;  Hon.  Daniel  E.  Sickles,  still 
surviving;  Mr.  Bouligny,  of  Louisiana,  and  his  fascinating 
wife,  nee  Miss  Parker;  the  Livingstons;  Minister  Bodisco  and 
his  charming  wife;  Cochrane,  of  New  York;  Banks,  of  Ala 
bama;  General  Magruder;  Mr.  Clingman;  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Vance;  Mr.  Harris,  of  Virginia;  John  C.  Breckenridge;  Sena 
tor  Rice,  of  Minnesota;  Chief  Justice  Taney;  Barkesdale, 
member  of  Congress  from  Mississippi,  who  was  later  killed 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  85 

in  the  Confederate  Army  during  the  Civil  War;  Stephen  A. 
Douglas;  Hon.  William  Kellogg,  of  Illinois;  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Roger  A.  Pryor;  Doctor  Garnett;  Senator  Judah  P.  Benjamin; 
General  and  Mrs.  McClernand;  Miss  Dunlap,  sister  of  Mrs. 
McClernand,  who  married  General  McClernand  after  her  sis 
ter's  death  in  the  early  sixties;  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Foulke,  of  Illi 
nois;  Senator  Edward  Baker,  killed  at  Ball's  Bluff  in  1862; 
Colonel  and  Mrs.  Robert  E.  Lee;  and  a  host  of  others — were 
familiar  faces  at  social  entertainments. 

On  all  occasions  wine  flowed  freely,  egg-nog  being  on  every 
table  on  New  Year's  Day.  Terrapin  was  as  common  as  the 
simple  bouillon  of  to-day,  the  colored  cook  who  presided  in 
every  kitchen  knowing  better  how  to  prepare  terrapin  than 
our  most  skilful  chef. 

At  evening  entertainments  the  guests  arrived  early  and 
remained  until  the  "wee  sma'  hours."  The  Inauguration 
Ball,  March  4,  1861,  was  a  grand  affair,  but  not  participated 
in  by  many  of  the  opposition  or  residents  of  Washington  whose 
sympathies  were  with  the  South,  many  flattering  themselves 
to  the  very  last  that  there  would  be  some  resistance  to  Mr. 
Lincoln's  inauguration.  Fortunately,  the  theory  of  bowing 
to  the  will  of  the  majority  was  then  a  cardinal  principle  in 
the  decalogue  of  American  politics.  It  is  a  melancholy  revery 
for  one  to  think  upon  those  momentous  days,  and  to  take  up, 
one  by  one,  the  names  of  men  and  women  who  figured  in 
the  social  and  political  drama  then  being  enacted.  Death 
has  claimed  nearly  all,  as  more  than  half  a  century  has  rolled 
away,  not  a  few  having  met  sudden  deaths  in  the  real  trag 
edies  in  which  they  took  part;  while  others  of  the  brilliant 
coterie  played  important  parts  in  the  Civil  War  that  burst 
upon  the  country  with  such  violence  in  1861  as  to  stop  com 
pletely  their  dalliance  with  pastimes  and  pleasures  at  the 
national  capital,  and  precipitate  the  whole  nation  into  its 
realities.  Instead  of  making  merry  and  dancing  to  the  music 
of  stringed  instruments"  in  the  ball  and  drawing  rooms,  they 


86  REMINISCENCES  OF 

hastened  to  the  field  of  carnage  to  the  thrilling  notes  of  mar 
tial  music,  changing  the  light  steps  of  the  dancers  to  the  tramp 
of  the  warriors'  march.  Before  Ash  Wednesday  had  stopped 
the  festivities,  rumors  of  the  coming  conflict,  the  defiant 
threatenings  of  seizing  Sumter,  and  the  seceding  of  States 
from  the  Union  effectually  stopped  all  gayety,  and  made 
serious  and  thoughtful  the  most  giddy  devotee  of  society. 

Almost  every  one  was  so  restless  that  he  must  needs  be  on 
the  go  all  the  time.  Even  the  theatres  were  packed  every 
night.  The  actors  and  actresses  of  that  time  were  very  fine. 
Forrest,  So  them,  Joe  Jefferson,  Booth  the  elder,  Charlotte 
Cushman,  and  other  celebrated  men  and  women  were  on  the 
boards,  "Lord  Dundreary"  furnishing  recreation  and  amuse 
ment  for  the  weary,  "Rip  Van  Winkle"  bringing  tears  from 
the  sympathetic,  while  Charlotte  Cushman's  "Queen  Cath 
erine"  and  "Meg  Merrilies"  awakened  the  wildest  enthu 
siasm  for  her  great  power  in  the  rendition  of  such  roles. 
In  February  she  came  to  Washington  to  play  for  five  nights: 
the  first  night  giving  "Queen  Catherine,"  supported  by  J.  B. 
Studley,  a  fine  actor;  the  second  night  in  "Meg  Merrilies." 
When  she  delivered  the  curse  upon  poor  Bertram,  her  figure 
seemed  to  rise  to  the  stature  of  a  giantess  before  her  trem 
bling,  cringing  victim.  On  this  occasion  she  was  brought  be 
fore  the  curtain  again  and  again,  the  whole  audience,  from 
orchestra  to  the  top  gallery,  rising  to  their  feet  and  cheering 
wildly.  In  imagination  I  can  to  this  day  see  her  majestic 
figure  as  she  appeared  to  acknowledge  the  encores. 

She  followed  the  next  night  (her  benefit)  with  Mrs.  Haller, 
in  Kotzebue's  play,  "The  Stranger,"  and  as  Mrs.  Simpson 
in  "Simpson  &  Company,"  to  a  superb  audience  of  appre 
ciative  admirers.  "Lady  Macbeth,"  "Cardinal  Wolsey," 
and  "Nancy  Sykes"  were  also  given  at  the  earnest  request 
of  a  large  number  of  distinguished  people,  who  signed  a  peti 
tion  to  her  to  gratify  them  by  prolonging  the  engagement 
seven  nights.  Each  night  the  house  was  as  full  as  the  man- 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  87 

agers  dared  to  allow.  One  never  tired  of  seeing  her.  She  was 
the  personification  of  power  and  grace,  and  so  forceful  that 
one  was  impressed  by  her  peerless  physical  and  mental 
strength,  and  yet  she  seemed  as  gentle  as  a  child.  Few  women 
have  left  a  deeper  impress  upon  the  age  in  which  they  lived. 

On  the  reassembling  of  Congress  after  Mr.  Lincoln's  inau 
guration  the  excitement  grew  greater  and  greater,  reaching 
a  higher  pitch  when  the  sound  of  the  firing  upon  Sumter  was 
flashed  across  the  country.  The  seizure  of  the  forts  in 
Charleston  Harbor  and  the  firing  on  the  flag  aroused  the 
whole  nation.  The  people  were  completely  demoralized 
between  the  conflicting  impulses  of  their  generous  natures 
toward  kindred  in  the  South  and  duty  to  their  country. 
At  first  they  could  do  nothing.  The  hammer  lay  idle  by  the 
anvil;  the  bellows  unused;  the  fires  were  out  in  engines  and 
furnaces;  the  wheels  of  machinery  still.  The  plough  stood 
in  the  furrow,  and  men  wandered  about  asking  for  news, 
and  stood  in  groups  for  hours  talking;  crowded  around 
every  new  arrival  in  the  little  town,  or  gathered  about 
the  fortunate  possessor  of  a  newspaper,  while  he  read  aloud 
to  the  anxious  listeners  every  line  of  news  or  comment  upon 
the  situation  of  affairs.  Wives,  mothers,  and  sweethearts 
went  about  their  household  duties  with  melancholy  faces,  and 
often  with  tears  rolling  down  their  cheeks,  as  their  loving 
hearts  ached  with  ominous  forebodings  of  what  was  coming, 
and  what  might  happen  to  their  loved  ones  in  the  near  fu 
ture.  Unaccustomed  to  the  suspense  and  anxiety  of  war,  and 
the  absence  of  loved  ones  whom  they  knew  would  enlist  if 
war  should  be  declared,  they  were  wretched  beyond  expres 
sion. 

Having  no  alternative,  Mr.  Lincoln  made  the  call  for 
seventy-five  thousand  men,  and  money  to  protect  life  and 
property  and  uphold  the  authority  of  the  Government.  To 
our  peaceful  citizens  this  seemed  an  innumerable  army,  but 
the  response  from  every  loyal  State,  that  their  quota  would 


88  REMINISCENCES   OF 

be  supplied  as  rapidly  as  possible,  according  to  their  respect 
ive  facilities  of  enlisting  and  organizing  troops,  inspired  the 
President  with  hope  and  confidence. 

To  a  nation  that  had  only  known  the  annual  " Militia  Day" 
in  those  States  which  had  militia  organizations — numbering 
only  a  few  in  the  whole  country — and  whose  idea  of  the  mili 
tia  rose  scarcely  above  the  standard  of  a  parade  by  five  com 
panies,  the  announcement,  over  the  signature  of  the  Chief 
Magistrate,  that  the  Union  was  in  danger  and  needed  defence 
at  the  hands  of  all  loyal  citizens,  aroused  the  patriotism  of 
the  people.  The  small,  regular  army,  then  scattered  to  the 
farthermost  borders  of  this  vast  country,  could  not  furnish 
a  sufficient  number  of  drill-sergeants  or  commissioned  officers 
to  drill  the  hastily  recruited  volunteers. 

The  few  veterans  of  the  Mexican  War  then  surviving  north 
of  the  Mason  and  Dixon  line  had  well-nigh  forgotten  the  ob 
solete  manual  of  arms,  which  they  had  learned  during  the 
brief  war  with  Mexico;  and  yet  long-neglected  tactics  were 
taken  down  from  the  dusty  shelves  and  eagerly  read.  Rusty 
swords  that  had  done  occasional  duty  on  Militia  Day  since 
'48  were  hunted  up  and  buckled  on  over  citizen  dress;  old 
fifes  that  had  not  known  the  touch  of  human  lips  for  many 
years  were  soon  responding  to  the  inspiring  notes  of  martial 
airs;  old  drummers  regained  their  cunning,  and  beat  an  ac 
companiment  calling  men  to  arms.  The  few  industrial  estab 
lishments  that  had  been  kept  in  operation  by  a  small  number 
of  faithful  men  for  the  furtherance  of  private  enterprises 
were  immediately  converted  into  busy  hives  for  the  manu 
facture  of  implements  of  war,  volunteers  stepping  into  line 
until  every  place  was  filled.  Those  not  needed  in  the  field 
joined  the  busy  army  of  workers  who  were  occupied  with  the 
preparations  for  clothing,  feeding,  arming,  and  supporting 
the  soldiers  at  the  front. 

Returning  to  our  home  in  southern  Illinois,  we  found  that 
the  proximity  of  that  section  to  the  slaveholding  States  and 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  89 

the  close  ties  by  nature  of  a  majority  of  the  people  to  those 
of  the  South  had  caused  the  most  intense  excitement.  Al 
most  every  household  was  divided  in  sentiment.  The  theory 
of  States'  rights  had  so  impregnated  the  minds  of  the  people 
that  they  were  unable  to  divest  themselves  of  the  feeling  that 
the  people  of  the  South  really  owed  their  first  duty  to  their 
States,  and  not  to  the  Government  of  the  United  States.  In 
the  heat  of  discussions  of  the  political  campaign  they  had  con 
cluded  that  the  South  had  a  grievance  in  the  election  of  an 
antislavery  man  and  the  supremacy  of  the  Republican  party. 
At  heart  they  were  loyal  to  their  country,  and  in  sympathizing 
with  their  kindred  of  the  South  it  never  occurred  to  them 
that  they  were  guilty  of  disloyalty,  or  that  they  were  aiding 
and  abetting  treason.  They  had  an  idea  that  concessions 
might  be  made  which  would  in  no  wise  compromise  the  dig 
nity  and  power  of  the  Government,  and  through  which  the 
Southern  States  might  be  induced  to  remain  in  the  Union. 

We  had  taken  advantage  of  the  interim  between  the  ad 
journment  and  the  reassembling  of  Congress  under  the  Presi 
dent's  call  to  go  home,  I  to  remain  to  do  what  I  could  to 
prepare  the  people  for  the  step  Mr.  Logan  had  decided  he 
must  take  at  an  early  day  or  be  guilty  of  treason  to  his  coun 
try.  He  felt  that  he  must  be  for  or  against  the  Government, 
and  that  his  duty  demanded  that  he  should  enter  the  army 
and  take  with  him  as  many  men  of  his  constituency  as  he 
could.  Therefore  he  did  not  want  them  to  continue  their 
excitement,  lest  they  might  rashly  commit  themselves  to  se 
cession.  Mr.  Logan,  however,  returned  to  Washington  to 
take  part  in  the  proceedings  of  Congress  at  the  extra  ses 
sion  to  provide  ways  and  means  for  supporting,  arming,  and 
equipping  the  troops. 

Arriving  at  Marion,  Williamson  County,  Illinois,  where  we 
then  resided,  we  were  not  prepared  for  the  state  of  public 
mind  that  greeted  us.  Constituents  hitherto  full  of  enthu 
siasm  and  cordial  greeting  met  us  with  restraint,  expressing 


go  REMINISCENCES  OF 

eagerness  to  know  what  was  going  to  be  done;  finding  fault 
with  this,  that,  and  the  other  action  that  had  and  had  not 
been  taken;  insisting  especially  that  there  had  not  been  given 
to  the  South  enough  guarantees  that  their  institutions  would 
in  no  wise  be  interfered  with.  They  were  reluctant  to  believe 
that  everything  had  been  offered  and  refused.  At  the  same 
time  they  blamed  the  South  for  the  attack  on  Fort  Sumter. 
Many  of  them  had  kindred  in  the  South  whom  they  dearly 
loved,  and  still  they  could  not  leave  their  homes  in  the  North 
and  sacrifice  everything  to  go  to  their  friends  whom  they 
knew  must,  sooner  or  later,  lose  their  all  in  the  cause  of  the 
rebellion  in  which  they  were  embarking.  It  was  touching  to 
see  them.  They  looked  to  Mr.  Logan,  then  their  represent 
ative  in  Congress,  to  tell  them  what  to  do,  and  they  knew 
instinctively  that  his  advice  would  be  hard  to  follow.  Either 
horn  of  the  dilemma  was  painful  for  them  to  contemplate. 

A  few  reckless  spirits  had  already  departed  for  the  South 
ern  Confederacy,  and  had  thus  brought  suspicion  and  oppro 
brium  upon  the  section  of  the  State  south  of  the  Ohio  and 
Mississippi  Railroad. 

The  authorities  at  the  capital  of  the  State  and  in  the  office 
of  the  United  States  marshal  were  watching  the  movements 
of  every  man.  Their  only  hope  of  restraining  the  sympa 
thizers  was  through  Mr.  Logan,  whose  influence  had  been 
very  great.  Appreciating  the  grave  responsibility  resting 
upon  him,  he  had  occasion  for  much  vigilance  and  solicitude, 
lest  he  should  fail  in  saving  the  people  from  getting  into 
trouble  through  rash  acts  until  their  own  good  judgment  and 
sense  should  bring  them  to  see  whither  they  were  drifting, 
and  the  inevitable  results  of  rebellion.  Many  were  the  hours 
he  paced  the  floor  revolving  in  his  mind  how  he  should  hold 
them  to  their  duty  by  enlisting  them  in  the  service  of  the 
Government,  thus  preventing  their  taking  steps  that  would 
involve  them  in  ruin.  He  dared  not  tell  them  that  he  should 
enter  the  army  himself.  They  would  have  spurned  him  and 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  91 

accused  him  of  treachery  to  his  party  and  to  them,  and  of 
selling  himself  to  the  administration.  The  time  had  not  ar 
rived  for  them,  with  their  former  political  teachings  and  affili 
ations,  to  think  of  the  rebellion  as  treason  against  the  general 
Government,  and  as  a  confederation  for  the  destruction  of 
the  Federal  Union.  So,  without  intimating  what  he  should 
do,  he  talked  to  them  as  though  they  were  children,  arguing 
in  the  line  of  patriotism  and  duty  to  one's  country,  warned 
them  of  the  fate  of  traitors,  the  horrors  of  civil  war,  and  the 
consequences  of  aiding  and  abetting  revolution.  He  then  de 
parted  for  Washington,  promising  them  his  faithful  devotion 
to  their  best  interests  and  the  perpetuity  of  the  Union,  assur 
ing  them  that  party  ties  should  not  be  strong  enough  to  drag 
any  man  into  treason  against  his  country.  He  tried  to  pre 
pare  them  for  what  was  coming — the  severing  of  party  alle 
giance  and  enlistment  in  the  army. 

To  remain  at  home  and  be  surrounded  by  all  these  people, 
to  answer  all  their  questions,  to  satisfy  their  curiosity  and 
fault-finding  with  what  was  being  done  in  Washington,  to 
interpret  the  meaning  of  every  move  North  and  South,  to 
keep  them  as  nearly  as  I  could  in  the  channel  in  which  Mr. 
Logan  had  adroitly  drawn  them,  was  an  appalling  task. 
Beset  by  fears  lest  I  might  make  a  mistake,  and  the  awful 
foreboding  that  harm  might  come  to  Mr.  Logan  through 
the  hate  of  some  adventurous  spirit  whose  sympathies  were 
with  the  South,  and  the  knowledge,  too,  that  my  husband 
would  soon  join  the  army  and  embark  in  all  the  hazardous 
movements  and  dangerous  enterprises  of  a  soldier's  life  in  a 
fratricidal  war  made  me  the  most  unhappy  of  women. 

My  eldest  brother,  then  a  young  man  of  twenty,  at  school 
at  Lebanon,  Illinois,  suddenly  returned  home,  and  before  we 
could  prevent  him  left  us  to  join  the  Confederate  army.  He 
was  only  two  years  my  junior;  we  had  always  been  together 
in  our  childhood  and  partners  in  all  the  joys  and  sorrows  of 
life.  After  my  marriage  he  had  been  much  with  us,  and  loved 


92  REMINISCENCES  OF 

Mr.  Logan  devotedly,  but  in  a  mad  moment  he  had  ruth 
lessly  placed  himself  in  the  attitude  of  an  enemy.  He  was  a 
dashing,  thoughtless  spirit,  and  had  yielded  to  an  impulse  to 
follow  the  fate  of  his  college  chums  who  lived  South  and  had 
gone  to  their  homes  at  the  mandate  of  their  families  in  differ 
ent  States  which  had  seceded.  This  brought  to  my  already 
overburdened  heart  another  overwhelming  sorrow.  To  see 
the  blanched  faces  and  tearful  eyes  of  my  dear  father  and 
mother  as  they  went  about  fretting  over  the  impending  con 
flict,  with  my  husband  (whom  they  idolized)  and  their  eldest 
son  in  opposing  armies,  was  almost  more  than  I  could  endure. 
Time  flew  rapidly,  and  Mr.  Logan  wrote  me  by  every  mail 
(then  triweekly)  of  the  progress  of  events,  directing  me  to 
prepare  the  few  we  could  trust  for  his  return  and  to  apprise 
them  of  his  purpose  to  raise  a  regiment  immediately  upon  his 
arrival. 

In  the  South  the  seeming  restless  tide  of  secession  was 
sweeping  everything  before  it;  in  the  North  the  timid  and 
doubtful  were  wavering  under  the  impress  always  made  by 
success.  What  would  be  the  result?  no  one  could  foretell; 
all  felt  the  feverish  state  of  the  public  mind.  The  spring  had 
come  and  gone,  the  summer's  heat  was  on,  half  the  crops  had 
not  been  planted,  and  those  that  had  been  were  not  properly 
cultivated.  Wherever  one  went  naught  but  the  din  of  dis 
cussion  was  heard;  every  person  seemed  suspicious  of  every 
one  else;  friction  and  impatience  were  rife.  The  battle  of 
Manassas,  or  first  Bull  Run,  with  its  unsatisfactory  result  had 
discouraged  and  disheartened  the  not  over-sanguine,  and  had 
made  it  harder  than  ever  to  convince  the  sympathizers  that 
there  was  no  foundation  for  the  boasted  prowess  of  the  South 
ern  soldiers,  and  that  their  claim  that  one  Southern  man  was 
worth  five  Northern  men  was  baseless. 

Events  of  the  most  thrilling  character  occurred  daily,  and 
kept  every  one  in  a  state  of  excitement  and  apprehension. 
The  very  thought  of  civil  war  carried  with  it  a  heart-sicken- 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  93 

ing  terror,  and  completely  demoralized  the  people.  Senator 
Douglas  had  died  very  suddenly  in  Washington,  and  Mr. 
Logan  was  left  almost  alone  to  face  the  excited,  reckless 
people  of  southern  Illinois. 

Finally  the  day  arrived  upon  which  Mr.  Logan  was  to 
reach  home.  J.  H.  White,  later  lieutenant-colonel  of  the 
3ist  Infantry,  which  Mr.  Logan  raised;  Mr.  Swindell, 
sheriff  of  Williamson  County;  one  or  two  others;  and  my 
self  had  canvassed  the  county  on  horseback.  Going  to  the 
houses  of  the  coolest-headed  and  most  reliable  men,  we  asked 
them  to  come  to  the  town  of  Marion  on  that  day  that  they 
might  hear  Mr.  Logan,  who  was  advertised  to  speak  to  the 
people  in  the  public  square;  also  asking  them  to  be  ready 
to  protect  him  or  to  quell  any  disturbance  should  mob  vio 
lence  be  attempted  if  he  failed  to  impress  them  favorably. 

It  was  one  of  those  hot,  dusty  days  in  that  semitropical 
climate  when  man  and  beast  panted  for  breath.  At  an  early 
hour  the  people  began  to  arrive,  and  before  noon — the  hour 
at  which  Mr.  Logan  was  due — a  surging  throng  of  human 
beings  filled  the  public  square,  impatiently  watching  the  road 
over  which  he  was  to  drive  into  town. 

Getting  into  a  buggy  early  that  morning,  I  drove  out  on 
the  road  leading  to  Carbondale,  a  station  on  the  Illinois  Central 
Railroad,  to  meet  my  husband,  who  was  to  come  to  Marion 
in  a  carriage  that  had  been  sent  to  bring  him  from  the  train. 
It  was  a  distance  of  twenty  miles  from  Marion  to  Carbondale. 
I  kept  driving  but  did  not  meet  him.  Fearing  something  was 
wrong,  I  continued  my  journey  to  Carbondale,  to  learn  that 
the  Eastern  train  on  the  Ohio  and  Mississippi  Railroad,  and 
the  Illinois  Central  Railroad  upon  which  he  was  to  come 
had  missed  connection  at  the  crossing  at  Odin.  There  was  no 
possible  chance  for  him  to  get  down  until  two  o'clock  the 
following  morning;  hence  he  could  not  speak  until  the  follow 
ing  day.  Appreciating  the  disappointment  it  would  be  to 
the  people  of  Marion,  knowing  their  inflammable  natures, 


94  REMINISCENCES  OF 

and  that  many  men  among  them  had  probably  been  drinking 
and  were  desperate  by  that  time,  I  knew  it  was  no  time  to 
trust  a  messenger  with  the  simple  message  that  my  husband 
had  been  detained,  but  would  come  the  following  day,  at  which 
time  they  should  return  to  hear  what  he  had  to  say.  I  also 
wished  to  consult  with  the  trusted  friends  we  had  as  to  the 
temper  of  the  people  when  such  numbers  were  together.  I 
therefore  took  a  fresh  horse  and  drove  back  to  Marion. 
Many  eyes  were  still  peering  down  the  long  road,  and  the 
moment  they  spied  me  coming  alone  they  could  hardly  wait 
for  me  to  reach  the  centre  of  the  square  when  they  gathered 
around  the  buggy,  stopped  the  horse,  and  eagerly  cried  out: 
"Where  is  Logan?"  "What  is  the  matter?"  "What  does 
this  mean?"  "We  have  got  to  know  all  about  this  business," 
and  many  such  questions  and  threats. 

Heartsick,  frightened,  weary  with  the  forty-mile  drive, 
and  choking  with  anxiety  and  discouragement  over  the  seem 
ing  madness  of  the  men,  I  could  only  beg  them  to  be  quiet; 
to  call  Mr.  Swindell,  the  sheriff,  that  I  might  explain  to  him, 
and  that  he  should  stand  up  in  the  buggy  and  tell  them  all. 
I  saw  that  many  were  drunk  and  muttering  vengeance  on 
somebody,  and  that  they  did  not  know  what  they  were  doing, 
and  I  was  almost  in  despair.  Very  soon  Mr.  Swindell,  a  tall, 
distinguished-looking  man,  with  a  fine  face,  blue  eyes  as  gentle 
as  any  woman's,  and  at  the  same  time  full  of  moral  courage 
and  coolness,  came  to  me  and  I  briefly  told  him  the  facts: 
that  it  was  purely  an  accident  occasioned  by  a  delay  on  the 
then  badly  managed  road.  He  stood  up  on  the  seat  of  the 
buggy  and  addressed  the  surging  multitude,  appealing  to  their 
manhood,  their  sense  of  right  and  propriety.  He  besought 
them  to  go  home  and  go  to  sleep;  to  quiet  down,  and  to  come 
back  by  two  o'clock  on  the  following  day  when  Logan,  their 
leader  and  best  friend,  would  be  there  and  would  tell  them 
everything.  He  told  them  that,  as  they  valued  their  liberty, 
their  homes,  and  their  country,  it  behooved  them  to  follow 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  95 

him  wherever  he  should  go;  that  he  had  more  at  stake  than 
they  had;  that  all  that  he  or  they  held  dear  was  in  the  balance 
against  anarchy  and  rebellion;  that  they  and  their  posterity 
would  reap  the  consequences  of  their  sowing;  that  they  knew 
that  his  all  was  at  stake  with  them,  and  that  he,  personally, 
was  ready  to  join  Logan  with  all  he  had  in  whatever  move 
Logan  said  would  bring  peace  to  the  distracted  country,  with 
out  which  they  could  expect  nothing  for  themselves  or  their 
children.  Many  were  deeply  affected  and  did  as  he  suggested, 
departing  for  their  homes;  others  manifested  an  ugly  spirit 
and  continued  their  wrangling  and  dissipation,  making  threats, 
and  in  many  ways  causing  me  great  solicitude. 

When  the  crowd  had  dispersed  I  drove  to  my  father's  home, 
and,  after  consulting  with  our  friends,  I  decided  to  take  an 
other  horse  and  drive  back  to  Carbondale  to  meet  my  hus 
band,  so  that  I  could  have  a  chance  to  tell  him  everything — 
the  exact  position  of  every  man  in  the  town,  and  of  many 
who  were  in  the  country;  to  be  able  to  give  him  the  benefit 
of  what  we  had  done ;  and  suggest  to  him  what  we  consid 
ered  the  safest  line  in  which  he  could  move.  It  was  a  bright 
moonlight  night,  and,  as  it  was  before  the  day  of  tramps,  I 
was  not  afraid  to  go  alone,  although  I  should  not  arrive  in 
Carbondale  before  midnight.  In  those  days  the  produce  was 
freighted  across  the  country  to  the  railroad  in  large  wagons, 
forming  sometimes  quite  a  train  of  ten  or  a  dozen  together. 
The  drivers  camped  at  the  side  of  the  road,  parking  their 
teams,  sleeping  in  their  wagons,  building  fires  to  cook  their 
food  and  make  their  coffee — the  men  sometimes  sitting  up 
late,  playing  cards  and  telling  stories.  If  one  was  alone  on 
the  highway  and  had  to  pass  one  of  these  camps,  they  pre 
sented  rather  a  weird  appearance,  and  in  times  of  such  excite 
ment  it  was  quite  enough  to  startle  the  nerves  of  a  weak 
woman.  Driving  along  the  road  with  a  dense  forest  on  either 
side,  and  seeing  that  at  the  sound  of  the  approaching  vehicle 
some  of  the  men  walked  out  toward  the  road  as  if  they  in- 


96  REMINISCENCES   OF 

tended  to  stop  the  horse,  or  at  least  to  know  who  was  passing 
at  so  late  an  hour;  fearing  that  they  might  not  recognize  me, 
and  greatly  frightened,  my  heart  fluttered  like  a  leaf  in  a  gale 
of  wind.  Fortunately  they  knew  me  and  also  my  horse,  and 
they  called  out:  "Where  are  you  going — has  anything  hap 
pened?"  I  halted  long  enough  to  tell  them,  and  they  ex 
pressed  regret  that  I  had  undertaken  so  lonely  a  journey  and 
that  none  of  them  could  leave  their  teams,  as  they  were  then 
returning  to  Marion  with  valuable  freight,  or  they  would  not 
let  me  continue  alone.  I  bade  them  good  night  and  hurried 
on,  congratulating  myself  upon  my  good  fortune.  I  reached 
Carbondale  two  hours  before  Mr.  Logan  arrived.  It  was 
two  o'clock  A.  M.  before  his  train  halted  at  the  Illinois  Cen 
tral  depot. 

We  were  both  weary  and  half-sick  from  fatigue,  anxiety, 
and  loss  of  sleep.  We  went  to  the  hotel,  and,  as  quickly  as  he 
could  get  away  from  the  many  who  had  been  waiting  for  him, 
we  retired  to  our  room  to  rest  till  seven  in  the  morning,  when 
we  must  go  to  Marion  to  meet  the  crowd  that  would  be  wait 
ing  impatiently  for  him.  There  was  no  sleep  for  either  of  us, 
so  anxious  were  we  both.  Events  of  such  grave  character 
had  happened  since  we  parted  early  in  April,  that  it  seemed 
ages  since  we  had  been  together.  The  unknown  was  before  us. 
A  more  or  less  reckless  people  surrounded  us,  all  of  them 
unreasonable  in  their  expectation  of  what  Mr.  Logan  could 
do;  some  going  so  far  as  to  aver  that  he  could  have  secured 
the  adoption  of  the  Crittenden  compromise  if  he  had  tried, 
forgetting  that  Crittenden,  Douglas,  Caleb  Cushing,  and  the 
oldest  and  ablest  men  in  the  nation  had  been  unable  to  get 
anything  done  in  the  way  of  compromise.  His  former  closest 
friends  were  the  worst  secessionists.  Our  families  were  much 
divided,  and  we  felt  that  we  could  trust  only  each  other.  He 
had  resolved  to  enter  the  army  for  the  war  with  no  alterna 
tive  but  to  leave  me  to  do  the  best  I  could;  and,  at  the  same 
time,  to  try  to  sustain  my  father  and  mother  (my  eldest 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  97 

brother,  as  before  stated,  having  joined  the  Confederate  army) 
and  those  who  might  be  left  alone  should  their  husbands, 
fathers,  or  brothers  volunteer  to  go  with  him.  Not  knowing 
what  fate  awaited  us,  we  drove  over  the  familiar  road  with 
sad  hearts,  feeling  it  was  our  only  opportunity  to  be  alone, 
or  to  talk  over  the  plans  for  the  present  or  the  future. 

As  we  approached  Marion  the  people  began  to  gather  about 
the  buggy,  cheering  and  shouting  their  welcome  to  General 
Logan;  crowding  so  near  to  grasp  his  hand  that  it  was  almost 
impossible  for  the  horse  we  were  driving  to  move.  He  as 
sured  them  he  would  speak  to  them  at  two  o'clock.  It  was 
then  almost  noon,  and  he  had  to  go  home  long  enough  to 
remove  the  dust  of  travel  from  his  clothing  and  to  get  his 
dinner.  The  very  crowd  was  enough  to  alarm  one;  they 
were  so  excited — seemingly  on  the  verge  of  violent  demonstra 
tion.  When  the  hour  arrived,  he  came  to  me  and  begged 
me  on  no  account  to  go  into  the  street.  He  felt  that  there 
might  be  trouble,  and  assured  me  he  should  be  unnerved  if 
he  thought  I  was  in  the  crowd,  should  mob  violence  seize  the 
half-crazed  people.  I  gave  my  promise,  with  a  mental  reserva 
tion  not  to  keep  it;  as  I  determined  to  be  near  him  whatever 
happened,  thinking  by  a  disguise  in  dress  and  keeping  behind 
him  (as  he  was  to  speak  standing  in  a  wagon  in  the  public 
square)  that  I  could  watch  the  actions  of  one  or  two  persons 
who  had  made  threats  of  a  personal  assault  upon  him  should 
he  declare  for  war  or  attempt  to  raise  a  regiment.  I  felt  sure 
I  could  at  least  scream  should  they  move  toward  him  with 
evil  intent. 

I  waited  until  he  was  gone  and  soon  followed,  keeping  out 
of  his  sight,  but  where  I  could  see  him  and  every  movement 
made  toward  him.  I  trembled  in  every  limb,  my  head  swam, 
and  I  dared  not  speak  to  any  one,  though  surrounded  by  ac 
quaintances  who  once  were  friends.  He  mounted  the  wagon, 
and,  after  waving  salutation  to  the  throng  who  surrounded 
him,  he  began  to  speak  in  a  voice  so  clear  and  with  such  vol- 


98  REMINISCENCES  OF 

ume  that  every  person,  even  those  farthest  from  him  on  the 
outside  of  the  crowd,  could  hear  him  distinctly.  In  a  few  mo 
ments  a  deathlike  stillness  prevailed;  the  most  turbulent  spirit 
in  the  crowd  was  as  quiet  as  the  dead.  You  could  hear  only 
his  sonorous  voice  as  he  with  great  deliberation  pictured  the 
situation  of  affairs,  the  inevitable  consequences  of  rebellion 
against  the  Government  should  the  theory  of  secession  pre 
vail;  telling  them  at  what  cost  of  blood  and  treasure  the  re 
public  had  been  established,  and  how  certainly  liberty  would 
be  forfeited  and  anarchy  reign  were  the  Union  once  dissolved. 
Step  by  step  he  led  them  on  for  nearly  two  hours,  intensity 
and  earnestness  depicted  in  every  lineament  of  his  face,  his 
bright  black  eyes  gleaming  with  emotion,  every  gesture  em 
phasizing  the  truthfulness  of  his  remarks,  and  his  earnestness 
carrying  conviction.  The  effect  upon  his  hearers  was  magical. 
They  were  swayed  by  his  eloquence  until  they  fairly  re-echoed 
his  utterances.  Toward  the  close  he  said:  "The  time  has 
come  when  a  man  must  be  for  or  against  his  country,  not 
for  or  against  his  State.  How  long  could  one  State  stand 
up  against  another,  or  two  or  three  States  against  others? 
The  Union  once  dissolved,  we  should  have  innumerable  con 
federacies  and  rebellions.  I,  for  one,  shall  stand  or  fall  for 
this  Union,  and  shall  this  day  enroll  for  the  war.  I  want  as 
many  of  you  as  will  to  come  with  me.  If  you  say  'No/  and 
see  your  best  interests  and  the  welfare  of  your  homes  and 
your  children  in  another  direction,  may  God  protect  you." 

There  was  an  old  fifer,  six  feet  four  inches  tall,  and  very 
large  in  proportion,  in  the  crowd.  He  had  been  a  fifer  in  the 
same  regiment  with  Mr.  Logan  in  the  Mexican  War.  We 
had  seen  him  previously,  and  he  had  promised  to  come  and 
bring  his  fife,  and  at  a  signal  from  J.  H.  White  was  to  go  up 
to  Mr.  Logan,  give  him  his  hand  as  a  volunteer,  and  then 
was  to  play  a  patriotic  air  on  his  fife,  whereat  Mr.  White  and 
a  few  others  were  to  step  in  line  and  start  the  volunteering. 
Mr.  Logan  did  not  know  that  Sanders,  the  fifer,  was  to  be 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  99 

there,  or  that  he  was  to  lead  off  in  that  way,  and  when  he 
saw  the  herculean  figure  of  his  old  comrade  striding  through 
the  crowd,  making  for  him,  he  lost  control  of  his  feelings  and 
wept  like  a  child.  It  is  needless  to  add  that  through  my  own 
tears  I  witnessed  the  most  affecting  scene  that  had  ever  oc 
curred  in  that  or  any  other  town.  At  the  sound  of  Sanders's 
fife  and  the  beating  of  an  old  drum  of  Gabriel  Cox,  who  was 
a  member  of  the  drum  corps  of  the  same  regiment  in  which 
Mr.  Logan  served  in  the  Mexican  War,  and  whom  Mr. 
White  and  Captain  Looney,  who  was  elected  captain  of 
the  company,  and  other  friends  had  hunted  up,  Mr.  Logan 
jumped  down  from  the  wagon,  stepped  into  the  line  that  was 
speedily  filling  up,  one  after  another  " falling  in"  (my  friend 
the  teamster  who  had  frightened  me  so  two  nights  before 
being  among  the  very  first),  gave  the  command,  " Forward, 
march!"  and  started  around  the  square,  followed  by  one 
hundred  and  ten  men,  as  good  and  true  as  ever  carried 
musket.  All  were  enrolled  for  "three  years,  or  during  the 
war."  There  was  scarcely  a  dry  eye  in  the  whole  crowd. 
The  ugly  spirits  who  a  few  hours  before  were  boasting  and 
threatening  all  sorts  of  bloody  deeds  had  hied  themselves  to 
safer  quarters  till  the  volunteers  were  out  of  town.  The 
company  enlisted  on  that  day,  the  i9th  of  August,  1861,  after 
ward  became  Company  A  of  the  gallant  3ist,  which  Colonel 
Logan  recruited  and  commanded  till  after  the  battle  of  Fort 
Donelson,  where  he  won  his  star. 

Those  were  trying  times  when  the  knowledge  that  one's 
husband  had  enlisted  for  the  war  and  a  hundred  others  had 
joined  him  brought  to  the  heart  a  feeling  of  relief  and  respite 
from  fear  lest  he  might  be  the  victim  of  an  assassin  or  a  mob. 
That  one  should  construe  such  a  dernier  ressort  as  a  guarantee 
for  the  preservation  of  life  and  the  protection  of  homes  seems 
an  anomaly,  but  such  was  the  condition  of  things  that  from 
that  hour  we  hoped  for  the  best,  and  felt  relieved  from 
cruel  suspense  and  agonizing  forebodings. 


TOO  A   SOLDIER'S   WIFE 

Colonel  Logan  was  so  absorbed  with  the  details  of  raising 
his  regiment,  and  so  sure  that  southern  Illinois  would  be  true 
to  the  Union,  that  he  seemed  almost  happy,  keeping  me  busy 
driving  back  and  forth  between  Carbondale,  the  telegraph 
station  on  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad,  and  other  points 
where  he  went  to  recruit  the  ten  companies  of  which  his 
regiment  was  composed.  He  would  not  trust  any  one  else 
to  send  or  receive  the  despatches  he  was  constantly  sending 
and  receiving  from  the  governor  and  adjutant-general  of  the 
State,  who  was  at  Springfield,  the  capital  of  the  State,  and 
the  Secretary  of  War,  at  Washington,  D.  C.  Consequently 
and  fortunately,  I  had  but  little  time  to  think  of  the  future 
and  all  that  it  might  hold  for  me. 


CHAPTER  V 

CAIRO,  ILLINOIS,  IN  l86l  —  THE  IMPORTANT  STRATEGIC  POINT  IN 
THE  WEST  —  "KING  COTTON"  —  THE  RIVER  STEAMERS  —  A 
FORLORN  RENDEZVOUS  —  DISCOMFORTS  AND  HARDSHIPS  —  RAW 
RECRUITS  THE  GENERAL  RULE  —  DEPARTURES  FOR  THE  FRONT 
—  PATHETIC  SCENES  —  SOL'S  LETTER  FROM  HOME  —  A  SECOND 
ARMY  COMPOSED  OF  VISITORS  —  SICKNESS  IN  THE  CAMP  —  A 
JOURNEY  NORTH  FOR  SUPPLIES  PROVES  A  GREAT  SUCCESS  — 
LOGAN  PERSUADES  THREE  MONTHS'  MEN  TO  RE-ENLIST  —  "  FOR 
WARD,  MARCH!"  AT  LAST  —  ONLY  A  FORAGING  EXPEDITION  — 

THE  BATTLE  OF  BELMONT  —  ARRIVAL  OF  THE  DEAD  AND 
WOUNDED  AT  CAIRO  —  HOSPITAL  SCENES  —  GENERAL  GRANT 
IN  COMMAND 

THE  vast  territory  lying  to  the  south,  southwest,  and  south 
east  of  Cairo,  Illinois,  prior  to  the  Rebellion,  depended  upon 
the  Mississippi  River  as  almost  the  only  channel  through 
which  could  be  conveyed  to  the  markets  the  cotton,  molasses, 
and  sugar.  Through  the  same  source  they  passed  the  larger 
supplies  of  grain,  flour,  and  other  commodities.  The  Mis 
sissippi  River  and  its  principal  tributaries  bounded  the  shores 
of  several  States  that  had  cast  in  their  lot  with  secession.  The 
lands  of  these  States  were  owned  by  the  few  wealthy  slave 
holders  who  had  colonies  of  slaves  but  very  few  neighbors 
beyond  the  kindred  and  families  of  the  same  estate. 

"King  Cotton,"  as  they  were  wont  to  style  their  chief  prod 
uct,  brought  them  a  rich  harvest  of  money  when  shipped  to 
distant  marts,  but  could  not  be  consumed  or  utilized  within 
their  own  State  borders,  destitute  as  they  were  of  manufac 
tories.  Hence  many  thousand  bales  of  cotton,  hogsheads  of 
tobacco,  and  barrels  of  molasses  and  sugar  found  their  way 
to  the  North  on  the  steamers  plying  between  the  Northern 


REMINISCENCES  OF 


cities  of  Cincinnati,  Louisville,  Saint  Louis,  Cairo,  and  Mem 
phis,  Vicksburg,  Natchez,  and  New  Orleans,  of  the  lower 
South. 

Coming  up  the  Mississippi  River,  the  steamers  touched  at 
Cairo  before  going  on  to  Saint  Louis,  or  to  Louisville  and 
Cincinnati  on  the  Ohio.  Here  they  dropped  that  which  was 
intended  for  the  extreme  North  and  East,  whither  it  was  taken 
by  rail.  It  was  a  weird  sight  to  see  the  black  stevedores,  clad 
only  in  turbans  and  trousers,  rolling  these  bales  and  barrels 
on  to  the  levee  at  Cairo  by  the  light  of  pine  torches  planted 
on  the  shore,  all  the  while  chanting  some  plantation  song, 
as  they  pulled  and  tugged  at  the  heavy  burdens,  as  if  to 
lighten  their  loads  by  their  own  strange  melodies.  As  soon 
as  all  was  off  and  the  steamer  again  "  pulled  out"  and  went 
puffing  on  her  way,  one  could  hear  the  boatmen  still  singing 
their  plantation  melodies  as  they  lay  on  the  piles  of  freight 
on  the  deck,  resting  from  their  labors. 

Cairo  was  in  those  days  little  better  than  the  doleful  picture 
of  it  given  in  "Martin  Chuzzlewit"  under  the  fictitious  name 
of  "Eden."  It  was  as  unlike  one's  idea  of  the  Eden  of  Para 
dise  as  possible.  Often  it  was  deluged  by  overflows,  whose 
waters  stagnated  in  every  depression  and  were  soon  covered 
by  a  green  scum,  almost  cutting  it  off  from  the  highlands  by 
that  dismal  swamp  which  extended  nearly  across  the  State 
a  few  miles  north  of  Cairo.  There  seemed  little  hope  that  a 
city  of  any  importance  could  ever  be  built  in  that  locality. 
Ague  and  other  diseases  from  miasmatic  influences  frightened 
away  many  who  came  to  make  their  homes  and  fortunes 
there.  Wooden  structures,  standing  pools  of  stagnant  water, 
bilious  and  listless  white  people,  shiftless  and  wretched 
negroes,  were  about  all  there  was  of  Cairo  prior  to  1861,  save 
the  few  enterprising  men  who  are  found  everywhere. 

Geographically  so  well  situated,  the  "great  captains"  saw 
that  from  Cairo  there  could  be  moved  armies  that  would 
sweep  the  Mississippi  Valley  to  the  Gulf,  southwestward,  and 


John  A.  Logan  in  1861,  as  colonel  of  the  Thirty-first 
Illinois  Regiment. 


A  SOLDIER'S   WIFE  103 

through  Kentucky,  Tennessee,  and  the  Carolinas,  to  the 
Atlantic  Ocean.  Driving  before  them  the  best  fighting  ele 
ments  of  the  Southern  Confederacy,  when  once  on  the  soil  of 
these  States,  they  could  gather  subsistence  from  the  country 
over  which  they  passed.  They  foresaw  that  the  cotton-fields 
must  soon  be  given  up,  and  corn  and  grain  for  their  own 
armies  and  people  would  take  the  place  of  cotton.  It  was 
not  for  the  "great  captains"  to  consider  the  inconvenience, 
difficulties,  and  discomforts  attending  the  mobilizing  and 
organizing  of  these  armies,  but  to  conceive  and  issue  orders, 
and  leave  it  to  the  patriotic  volunteer  officers  and  soldiers  to 
execute  their  plans.  The  small  regular  army  was  in  the  East 
and  on  the  frontier. 

Hence  Cairo  was  designated  as  the  place  of  rendez 
vous  for  the  brigade  which  it  was  proposed  should  be 
recruited  from  southern  Illinois.  The  Confederate  troops 
occupied  Columbus,  Kentucky,  and  Belmont,  Missouri,  a 
point  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  Mississippi  River.  Price's 
army  was  being  recruited,  terrorizing  and  controlling  all  of 
southwest  Missouri.  The  city  of  Cairo,  occupying  the  pen 
insula  point  of  the  State  at  the  junction  of  the  Ohio  and 
Mississippi  Rivers,  was  subject  to  overflows,  the  levees  encir 
cling  the  city  being  its  only  protection  from  inundation.  The 
very  streets  were  impassable  at  times.  These  facts  made  the 
occupation  of  Cairo  by  troops  almost  impracticable,  but  com 
manding,  as  it  did,  the  Ohio  and  Mississippi  Rivers,  it  was 
imperative  that  it  should  be  fortified  and  manned  by  troops 
to  defend  the  approach  to  the  north  up  the  Mississippi  River. 
The  fathomless  mud  was  not  the  only  unpleasant  feature  of 
Cairo  at  that  time.  The  sudden  concentration  of  thousands 
of  men  in  the  little  city,  with  its  half-dozen  small  hotels  and 
overflowed  surroundings,  rendered  existence  as  much  a  prob 
lem  as  that  of  the  occupancy  recently  of  the  Canal  Zone. 
Transportation  was  inadequate  to  the  great  number  strug 
gling  to  reach  the  point  from  which  the  great  army  was  even- 


104  REMINISCENCES  OF 

tually  to  move.  Habitations  of  houses  or  tents  were  not  ob 
tainable  for  all  these  civilians  and  soldiers  congregating  there. 
Quartermasters  and  commissaries  were  inefficient,  and  with 
out  any  conception  of  the  requirements  of  a  great  army  and 
its  followers.  One  single-track  railroad  with  insufficient  roll 
ing-stock  was  to  carry  all  the  men,  all  the  supplies,  all  the 
horses,  all  the  ordnance  and  freight  necessary  for  the  imme 
diate  organization  and  equipment  of  the  Army  of  the  Mis 
sissippi. 

The  river  steamers  were  of  the  most  primitive  character, 
and,  though  busy  night  and  day,  were  unequal  to  the  prodig 
ious  emergency.  A  majority  of  the  men  and  supplies  came 
from  the  North  under  difficulties  indescribable.  The  Illinois 
Central  Railroad  was  almost  the  only  means  of  conveying 
everything  to  the  base  of  operations.  The  continuous  trains 
going  and  coming  kept  the  people  along  the  line  of  the  road 
in  a  state  of  feverish  excitement,  and  impressed  them  with 
the  stupendous  nature  of  the  preparations  for  the  conflict. 

The  most  extravagant  imagination  had  never  thought  that 
the  little  city  of  wooden  houses  sitting  behind  the  levees 
which  line  the  shores  of  the  Ohio  and  Mississippi  Rivers  at 
their  junction,  could  ever  be  of  so  much  importance  in  the 
nation's  weal.  One  could  hardly  realize  that  it  was  the  key  to 
the  valley  of  the  Mississippi,  or  that  the  army  rendezvoused 
and  equipped  within  its  small  limits  was  destined  to  "hew 
its  way  to  the  gulf."  The  men  of  the  West  would  not  be 
lieve  that  the  South  would  ever  establish  a  blockade  or  fire 
upon  the  "flag  of  the  free."  Finally  the  shot  was  heard,  and 
the  wide-mouthed  cannon  mounted  on  the  river-bank  at  Co 
lumbus,  turned  toward  the  north,  announced  the  establish 
ment  of  the  barrier.  Fired  by  indignation  and  patriotism,  the 
people  rallied  to  their  country's  call  like  the  hosts  of  Roderick 
Dhu.  Accustomed  to  pioneering  and  "roughing  it,"  they 
were  equal  to  the  exigencies  of  the  times. 

The  spirits  that  controlled  in  the  South  and  Southwest 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  105 

were  so  daring  and  so  reckless  that  they  would  have  under 
taken  any  venture,  no  matter  how  mad,  had  they  not  learned 
of  the  preparations  to  prevent  them  from  coming  up  the 
river.  The  volunteers  waited  not  for  the  regulation  appoint 
ments,  but,  with  earnestness  that  meant  success,  began  at 
once  to  acquire  the  profession  of  the  soldier.  The  old  Bel 
gian  muskets,  with  which  they  were  first  armed,  served  every 
purpose  for  mastering  the  manual  of  arms;  many  officers, 
studying  the  manual  of  arms  themselves,  practised  by  drilling 
their  commands  for  hours  each  day.  Cheerfulness,  and  a 
willingness  to  learn  to  do  whatever  was  to  be  done,  were 
invariably  evinced  by  the  men  notwithstanding  the  revolting 
feelings  that  sometimes  came  over  them  before  they  became 
accustomed  to  receiving  and  cooking  their  own  rations,  and 
doing  the  police  duty  necessary  in  camp.  As  fast  therefore 
as  the  troops  were  recruited  at  different  points,  they  were 
hurried  to  Cairo.  There  they  were  mustered  in  regiments 
ready  for  organization  into  brigades.  The  i8th,  27th,  3oth, 
and  3ist — and  later  the  25th  Infantry  Volunteers,  known  as 
the  Lead  Mine  Regiment  from  Galena — Swartz's  and  Taylor's 
Batteries,  and  some  cavalry  were  to  compose  the  First  Brigade. 
Very  few  of  the  men  or  officers  of  these  regiments  knew 
anything  whatever  of  the  art  of  war,  except  a  man  here  and 
there  who  had  served  in  the  Mexican  War.  For  the  most 
part  they  were  young  men  just  entering  manhood,  who  had 
never  been  away  from  their  homes  for  any  length  of  time, 
many  of  them  never  having  been  out  of  the  State.  They 
knew  nothing  of  the  hardships  that  awaited  them  or  the  full 
meaning  of  enlistment  in  their  country's  service.  When  the 
time  came  for  them  to  say  good-by  to  mothers,  sisters,  wives, 
and  sweethearts,  it  was  most  pathetic.  I  remember  once 
watching  the  face  of  a  sentinel  as  he  paced  his  beat  and 
looked  with  intense  disgust  at  the  unloading  with  iron  shovels 
of  the  loaves  of  bread  out  of  a  wagon-bed  in  front  of  the 
tent  where  it  was  to  be  issued  to  the  companies.  This  young 


io6  REMINISCENCES  OF 

man  had  left  a  home  of  comfort  and  plenty,  where  his  fond 
and  fastidious  mother  presided.  Visions  of  her  delicious 
cookery,  snowy  table  linen,  and  transparent  china  made  the 
loaves,  thrown  from  the  shovels  to  a  not  over-clean  board 
table,  anything  but  tempting.  A  few  months  afterward  the 
forbidding  loaves  would  have  been  hailed  with  delight  in 
place  of  the  "  hard  tack"  that  had  not  been  softened  or  ren 
dered  more  palatable  by  being  carried  in  a  haversack  for  days. 

Doing  guard  and  police  duty  with  a  lowering  sky  above 
them,  and  mud  and  water  beneath  their  feet,  made  many  a 
soldier  sick  at  heart,  and  caused  his  courage  to  drop  in  the 
scale  of  heroism,  when  first  learning  the  duties  of  a  son  of 
Mars.  The  discipline  of  walking  to  and  fro  with  a  gun  on  his 
shoulder  in  the  wee  small  hours  of  a  stormy  night  was  a  dif 
ferent  thing  from  marching  away  on  a  gala-day  to  the  tune 
of  "Yankee  Doodle,"  or  with  the  drums  and  fifes  beating  and 
whistling  "The  Girl  I  Left  Behind  Me." 

I  witnessed  the  departure  of  many  of  the  men  of  the  old 
3ist  from  cottages  and  more  pretentious  homes.  At  the 
sound  of  the  roll-call  could  be  seen  great,  manly  fellows,  fold 
ing  their  loved  ones  in  a  last  fond  embrace,  and  then,  with 
the  tears  streaming  down  their  blanched  cheeks,  rushing 
out  of  the  door,  and  down  the  street  to  step  into  line  and 
answer  "Here,"  while  their  telltale  faces  betrayed  the  emo 
tions  of  their  brave  hearts.  The  tearful  eyes,  pale  faces, 
quivering  lips,  and  sobs  of  those  they  were  leaving  behind; 
the  anguish  of  the  non-combatants  who  were  to  guard  the 
hearthstones,  care  for  the  dependents,  and  send  cheer  to  the 
loved  ones  gone  to  the  front,  told  the  sad  story  of  what  it 
cost  those  who  volunteered  and  those  who  stayed  at  home. 

After  marching  out  of  the  towns,  they  found  farm  wagons 
and  all  kinds  of  vehicles  drawn  up  in  a  line  beside  the  roads. 
Into  these  the  "boys"  climbed,  to  be  taken  to  the  railroad, 
because  they  were  destined  to  have  enough  of  marching  on 
Southern  soil.  The  troops  were  not  allowed  to  walk  when 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  107 

there  was  no  necessity  for  their  doing  so.  Arriving  at  the 
depot  they  were  transferred  to  the  cars,  when  the  last  good-bys 
must  be  said  to  those  who  had  accompanied  them  thus  far 
on  their  long  journey.  Reaching  Cairo  they  were  deposited 
on  the  levee,  which,  like  a  great  sea-wall,  then  encircled  the 
city. 

Gathering  together  their  little  all,  they  were  soon  marching 
to  camp  to  be  assigned  to  tents  and  begin  their  duties  as 
soldiers  for  three  years,  or  during  the  war.  unless  sooner  dis 
charged  by  reason  of  disability.  That  first  night  in  camp 
can  never  be  forgotten  by  a  soldier  enlisted  in  time  of  war: 
the  confusion  of  being  assigned;  getting  accustomed  to  the 
meagre  accommodations  of  tent  life;  the  building  of  fires; 
hanging  the  camp  kettle;  making  the  coffee,  drinking  it  out 
of  tin  cups;  and  cooking  the  rations,  eating  them  from  tin 
plates,  without  knives,  forks,  or  spoons.  To  those  who  had 
left  comfortable  homes,  presided  over  by  loving  mothers  and 
wives,  it  was  a  trying  initiation  into  the  life  they  were  to  lead. 
The  posting  of  the  guard  who,  in  reliefs,  were  to  pace  their 
beats  through  the  weary  hours  of  night,  broken  only  by  the 
dismal  call  of  the  hours:  " —  o'clock,  and  all  is  well!"  con 
tinuing  through  rain  or  shine  of  the  morrow,  and  of  each  suc 
ceeding  day  and  night  was  a  great  trial  to  men  accustomed 
to  following  the  Franklin  maxim  of  "  Early  to  bed  and  early 
to  rise."  Police  and  guard  duty,  drilling  in  the  falling  rain 
or  broiling  sun,  kept  them  busy  all  the  time.  There  was  no 
going  where  they  pleased  or  declining  to  obey  disagreeable 
orders;  they  had  to  become  accustomed  to  the  confinement  of 
staying  within  the  lines;  master  the  manual  of  arms;  keep 
their  clothes  and  accoutrements  clean;  appear  at  dress  parade 
at  five  o'clock  daily;  cook  their  meals,  report  for  drill  and 
guard  duty;  and  observe  other  details  without  questioning  the 
reason  why.  To  men  who  had  known  no  discipline  or  superior 
authority,  this  was  very  hard  and  left  little  opportunity  for 
aught  save  the  homesickness  that  every  soldier  experienced. 


io8  REMINISCENCES  OF 

In  the  3ist  Regiment  there  were  many  men  whom  both 
Colonel  Logan  and  I  had  known  for  years.  They  were  splen 
did  men,  but  absolutely  ignorant  of  military  discipline  or  the 
proper  deference  due  superior  officers.  It  took  them  some 
time  to  learn  to  address  an  officer  by  the  title  of  his  rank. 
They  had  always  called  Colonel  Logan  "John/'  and  me 
"Mary,"  and  often  greeted  us  both  affectionately  by  our 
names  without  realizing  there  was  any  impropriety  in  the 
familiarity.  One  day  a  soldier  whom  we  shall  call  "Sol,"  a 
fine  specimen  of  man — a  robust,  tall,  active,  cheerful,  willing 
soldier — came  to  the  colonel's  tent  looking  much  depressed. 
He  gave  awkwardly  the  military  salute.  Colonel  Logan  in 
quired  what  was  the  matter.  He  said:  "John,  I  have  got 
to  go  home,  but  I  swear  I  will  be  back  in  three  days."  Colo 
nel  Logan  replied:  "What  has  happened?"  "Sol"  took  out 
of  his  pocket  a  much-blurred  and  tear-stained  letter  and 
said:  "Just  read  that,  and  you  will  not  refuse  to  let  me  go." 
This  was  the  letter  from  his  wife: 

MY  DEAR  SOL: 

For  God  sake  do  come  home.  I  am  sick.  There  is  nothing  in 
the  house  to  live  on.  I  can't  do  a  dam  thing  with  the  children. 
The  cows  got  in,  and  ate  up  the  garden,  and  everything  has  gone 
to  the  devil  and  you  jist  have  to  come. 

Your  loving  wife, 

AMANDA. 

Across  the  span  of  fifty  years  memory  brings  to  mind  the 
amused  expression  on  Colonel  Logan's  face,  as  he  read  this 
graphic  letter.  After  getting  control  of  himself,  he  said: 
"Now,  Sol,  you  know  I  can  not  grant  you  a  leave.  You  know 
that  the  reasons  your  wife  gives  for  wanting  you  to  come 
would  look  badly  if  I  sent  them  up  to  headquarters.  Besides, 
we  are  likely  to  be  ordered  to  the  front  any  day,  and  you 
would  hate  to  have  it  said  you  were  absent  from  the  regiment." 
Sol  replied:  "Now,  John,  do  you  really  think  there  is  any 
chance  for  a  fight?"  Colonel  Logan  replied :  "Yes."  "Then 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  109 

no  furlough  for  me,"  said  Sol.  The  proximity  of  their  homes, 
the  frequent  communications  with  friends,  and  many  other 
features  made  the  volunteer  service  at  the  beginning  of  the 
war  almost  ludicrous. 

Day  after  day  they  came,  till  almost  every  spot  of  dry 
ground  around  the  city  was  covered  with  the  white  tents  of 
the  boys  in  blue.  The  novelty  of  camp  life  soon  vanished; 
attacks  of  illness,  unavoidable  with  so  many  together  in  an 
inhospitable  climate,  and  the  discomforts  that  beset  them, 
brought  on  an  irresistible  longing  to  return  to  home  and 
friends.  But  furloughs  were  not  to  be  thought  of  with  all 
they  had  to  learn  and  to  do.  No  law,  however,  could  pre 
vent  friends  from  coming  to  them,  and  ere  they  had  been 
encamped  two  months,  a  new  army  made  its  appearance. 
Fathers,  mothers,  brothers,  sisters,  wives,  and  sweethearts 
came  sweeping  down  in  caravans  of  carriages,  wagons,  and 
every  conceivable  vehicle,  and  in  every  imaginable  manner, 
pitching  their  tents  and  building  their  brush  houses  as  near 
the  regiment  in  which  they  were  interested  as  the  command 
ing  officers  would  permit.  Every  moment  off  duty  one  could 
see  company  officers  and  men  wending  their  way  to  the  camps 
outside  the  lines,  where  devoted  ones  were  waiting  to  greet 
them.  Many  delicacies  and  " treats"  brought  from  home 
were  enjoyed  during  the  brief  hours  of  a  pass  outside  the  lines. 

To  add  to  the  discomfort  of  camp  life  in  muddy  Cairo,  the 
measles  broke  out  and  spread  rapidly.  Five  hundred  of  the 
3ist  Regiment  (Colonel  Logan's)  were  ill  with  measles  at  one 
time.  Medical  purveyors  were  as  little  skilled  as  many  of 
the  officers  in  other  branches  of  the  service,  and  knew,  if  pos 
sible,  less  about  providing  for  the  sick.  The  exigencies  of  the 
war  at  that  time  had  not  driven  them  to  a  disregard  of  rights 
of  property-holders  in  the  interest  of  the  army,  and  property- 
holders  were  not  anxious  to  furnish  supplies  in  exchange  for 
the  little  slips  of  paper  called  vouchers,  which  they  feared 
were  of  doubtful  value.  Surgeons  and  medical  purveyors, 


no  REMINISCENCES  OF 

and,  indeed,  all  the  regimental  officers,  were  at  a  loss  to  know 
what  to  do.  Beyond  the  power  to  seize  and  condemn  a  build 
ing  for  hospital  purposes,  they  could  do  but  little.  The  sup 
plies  in  that  department  had  been  as  heavily  drawn  upon  as 
any  other.  Requisitions  remained  unfilled  for  days,  weeks, 
and  even  months.  The  West  was  so  far  from  the  seat  of  war 
that  they  were  the  last  to  receive  consideration.  Houses 
large  enough  for  hospital  use  were  hard  to  get,  and  in  many 
instances  not  to  be  found.  There  were  scarcely  enough  tents 
for  the  troops  and  none  for  hospital  purposes,  and  there  was 
no  provision  for  the  care  of  the  rapidly  increasing  number  of 
sick. 

Deeply  sympathetic,  Colonel  Logan,  of  the  3ist,  could 
not  bear  to  see  the  men  lying  on  the  damp  ground  in 
their  tents,  so  he  caused  a  small  hotel,  known  as  the  City 
Hotel,  and  owned  by  a  Mr.  Yocum,  to  be  seized  for  hospital 
purposes.  The  proprietor  vacated  at  once,  but  as  there  was 
no  authority  to  take  the  hotel  furniture  for  hospital  use, 
there  was  nothing  save  the  empty  rooms  and  bare  floors 
when  the  men  were  brought  there.  The  purveyor's  supplies 
had  been  exhausted  in  the  establishment  of  the  brigade  hos 
pital.  The  helpless  regimental  surgeons  were  in  a  quandary. 
Hundreds  of  the  sick  were  lying  rolled  up  in  their  blankets, 
and  with  nothing  but  their  knapsacks  under  their  heads. 
Two  or  three  had  died,  and  Colonel  Logan  was  in  great  dis 
tress;  something  had  to  be  done  to  render  the  condition  of 
the  men  more  comfortable. 

Despairing  of  immediate  relief  through  the  purveyor's  office, 
I  assured  Colonel  Logan  that  I  could  get  on  the  train  and  go 
to  Carbondale  and  Marion,  sixty  miles  north  of  Cairo,  and, 
by  appealing  to  the  friends  I  knew,  in  thirty-six  hours  I 
could  secure  supplies  enough  to  furnish  the  hospital  with  the 
best  of  everything,  and  stock  the  larder  with  all  the  delicacies 
necessary  to  the  sick.  He  was  so  anxious  for  relief  for  his 
men  that  he  decided  to  let  me  carry  out  my  suggestion.  I 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  in 

was  to  leave  on  the  first  train,  which  left  Cairo  at  two  A.  M. 
The  city  was  under  martial  law;  the  provost  marshal  was 
Major  Kuykendall,  of  Logan's  regiment.  At  six  o'clock  P.  M. 
he  closed  the  provost  office  and  returned  to  the  regimental 
headquarters.  Colonel  Logan  was  to  get  me  a  pass  and  send 
it  to  me  by  Captain  Edwin  S.  McCook,  who  was  to  take  me 
to  the  two  A,  M.  train.  When  we  reached  the  depot  and  I 
asked  the  captain  for  the  pass,  he  said:  "By  George,  I  forgot 
to  get  it!"  The  headquarters  were  at  least  two  miles  away, 
and  there  was  no  time  to  get  a  pass.  The  captain  was  greatly 
excited  as  to  how  to  get  me  on  the  train  without  one.  Seeing 
an  old  friend  come  into  the  depot,  who  was  evidently  going  on 
the  train,  the  captain  went  to  him  and  told  him  of  the  di 
lemma.  He  said:  "Oh,  that  is  all  right.  I  have  one  for  my 
self  and  wife,  and  my  wife  was  ill  this  morning,  and  could 
not  accompany  me.  I  will  take  Mrs.  Logan."  They  came 
over  and  told  me  of  the  scheme.  I  said:  "Oh,  no,  good 
friends  as  we  are,  I  could  not  think  of  travelling  with  you 
as  Mrs.  Wilson.  I  am  sure  I  can  get  on  the  train  without  a 
pass,  if  you  two  men  will  stand  on  the  depot  platform  and 
see  me  try  to  pass  the  train  guard.  If  I  fail,  Captain 
McCook  can  take  me  back  to  my  hotel,  and  I  will  wait  until 
to-morrow."  In  those  days  I  knew  almost  every  one  south 
of  the  Ohio  and  Mississippi  Railroad.  As  soon  as  the  train 
pulled  in  I  went  down  to  the  car,  and  seeing  young  Dona 
hue  standing  on  the  platform  as  guard,  I  said:  "Donahue,  I 
want  to  get  into  that  car  before  the  crowd;  will  you  let  me 
in?"  He  replied:  "Yes,  you  bet  I  will,  Mrs.  Logan,  but 
where  are  you  going  by  yourself  these  times?"  I  told  him 
that  I  was  going  to  Carbondale,  our  home  at  that  time,  and 
passed  into  the  car.  As  soon  as  I  was  seated,  seeing  the 
captain  standing  on  the  depot  platform,  I  knocked  on  the 
window,  and  nodded  to  him  that  I  was  all  right.  Mr.  Wilson 
came  into  the  car  soon  afterward,  and  we  had  a  good  laugh 
over  the  episode.  McCook  hurried  back  to  camp  to  tell 


ii2  REMINISCENCES  OF 

Colonel  Logan  the  whole  story.  Later  the  colonel  expressed 
to  me  his  gratification  at  my  discretion,  and  told  me  never 
to  allow  myself  to  be  placed  in  a  position  that  might  be  mis 
construed  and  bring  me  many  regrets. 

Arriving  at  Carbondale,  it  required  but  little  time  to  enlist 
many  volunteers  to  collect  the  much-needed  comforts.  In 
less  than  thirty-six  hours  I  had  succeeded,  by  the  help  of 
loyal  men  and  women  whose  friends  were  in  the  regiments 
stationed  at  Cairo,  in  collecting  car-loads  of  home-made  blank 
ets,  pillows,  homespun  bed  linen,  jellies,  marmalades,  wines, 
fruits,  and  everything  necessary,  and  more,  for  the  hospital  of 
Colonel  Logan's  regiment.  These  blankets  were  made  in 
bright  colors,  not  unlike  the  famous  "Roman  stripes,"  and 
were  so  showy  and  comfortable,  and  attracted  so  much  atten 
tion,  that  the  hospital  was  known  during  its  existence  as 
"The  Striped  Hospital  of  the  3ist  Regiment."  Pavilion  and 
hospital  tents  were  afterward  invented  and  used,  but  in  the 
early  days  of  the  war  there  was  nothing  of  the  kind  in  use  in 
the  West.  It  never  occurred  to  the  surgeons  to  decline  any 
thing  tendered  for  the  sick  and  disabled  soldiers.  The  bri 
gade  and  regimental  surgeons  were  only  too  glad  to  accept 
the  generosity  of  patriotic  people,  and  avail  themselves  of 
everything  that  tended  to  reduce  the  mortality  to  a  minimum. 
We  were  far  enough  away  to  disregard  the  dilatory  action  of 
"red  tape"  methods,  which  have  been  many  times  responsible 
for  the  increased  death-rate  among  sick  and  wounded  men. 
Regimental  surgeons  were  held  responsible  for  the  sick  of  their 
respective  regiments,  and  no  other  class  of  officers  had  more 
trying  experiences  on  account  of  the  inefficiency  of  the  sur 
geon-general's  department  during  the  early  part  of  the  Civil 
War.  Had  the  present  system  of  brigade  division  and  corps 
hospitals  been  then  established,  thousands  would  have  died 
who  were  saved  through  the  vigilance  of  regimental  surgeons 
who  knew,  and  had  a  personal  interest  in,  every  man  in  the 
regiment  to  which  he  belonged.  Many  monuments  should 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  113 

now  mark  the  spot  where  noble,  self-sacrificing  army  surgeons 
sleep  that  " sleep  which  knows  no  waking"  until  they  are 
called  to  their  reward  in  a  better  world. 

The  generals  and  colonels  swore  they  would  never  be 
able  to  discipline  the  troops.  They  longed  to  move  to  the 
front,  or  to  have  the  power  to  order  the  civilian  army  to 
their  homes.  It  was  no  use;  there  they  stayed  till  the 
storms  and  blasts  of  approaching  winter  forced  them  to  say 
a  last  good-by  and  retreat.  In  many  cases,  it  was  literally 
the  last  farewell,  for  the  fate  of  war  bore  many  of  the  offi 
cers  and  men  to  that  unknown  land  from  which  there  is  no 
returning. 

So  time  moved  on.  One  day  word  came  that  a  company 
stationed  at  "Big  Muddy  Bridge"  had  completed  their  three 
months'  service  and  declined  to  renew  their  enlistment.  Gov 
ernor  Yates  urged  them  to  re-enlist,  but  to  no  avail.  A  special 
train  was  ordered,  and  General  John  A.  McClernand,  who  was 
in  command  of  the  First  Brigade,  composed  of  the  22d,  27th, 
3oth,  and  3ist  Regiments,  was  directed  to  go  up  there  and  to 
take  Colonel  John  A.  Logan  and  see  if  they  could  not  per 
suade  the  men  to  remain  in  the  service.  One  bright  morning 
our  party  set  out.  Arriving  at  the  bridge  sixty  miles  above 
Cairo,  on  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad,  we  got  off  the  train 
and  wandered  about  the  camp  of  a  few  tents  which  the  men 
had  occupied  while  protecting  the  bridge  from  the  torch  of 
the  Southern  sympathizers  who  lived  in  the  vicinity,  and  who 
had  hoped,  by  burning  it,  to  delay  transportation  of  troops 
en  route  for  Cairo,  over  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad.  Mount 
ing  a  box,  General  McClernand  spoke  feelingly  to  the  men, 
and  urged  them  to  "stand  by  the  flag."  Still  no  signs  came 
from  them  as  to  what  they  should  do.  Colonel  Logan  fol 
lowed  McClernand  with  an  appeal  to  "Come  on,  boys,  fear 
not  death,  but  dishonor."  Every  man  shouted:  "We  will 
go,"  and  before  the  hour  had  arrived  for  the  train  to  take 
the  party  back  to  Cairo,  one  by  one  the  men  had  re-enlisted 


ii4  REMINISCENCES  OF 

and  taken  the  oath  to  serve  for  three  years,  unless  sooner  dis 
charged  by  reason  of  disability  or  peace. 

For  weeks  regiment  after  regiment  arrived  at  Cairo,  and 
were  assigned  the  most  available  spots  where  tents  could 
possibly  be  pitched.  Every  one  felt  that  extensive  move 
ments  must  be  contemplated  to  have  occasioned  such  gigan 
tic  preparations.  Officers  and  men  were  impatient  at  the 
routine  duties  of  camp  life,  and  longed  for  marching  orders. 
At  last  they  were  gratified.  Orders  came  that  rations  were  to 
be  cooked,  ammunition  to  be  issued,  and  everything  to  be 
made  ready  for  a  march — whither  they  knew  not  and  cared 
but  little,  so  they  were  on  the  move.  When  the  hour  for  start 
ing  arrived  they  filed  out  of  camp.  Marching  by  companies, 
they  were  soon  drawn  up  in  a  position  on  the  levee,  ready  to 
take  the  transports.  The  boats  came  steaming  round  the 
point,  and  rounding  to  the  wharfs  all  were  embarked,  as 
the  soldiers  imagined,  for  eventful  fields.  However,  before 
they  had  settled  down  or  taken  in  the  situation,  the  boats 
put  into  the  Mississippi  shore,  and  they  were  landed  and 
formed  in  marching  order  to  push  forward  across  the  country. 

All  was  expectancy,  as  they  supposed  the  enemy  was  not 
far  distant.  They  found,  however,  that  it  was  foraging  and 
not  fighting  that  was  before  them.  Jeff  Thompson  had  col 
lected  together  large  quantities  of  corn,  hay,  bacon,  etc.,  for 
his  command  of  freebooters,  which  was  duly  reported  to  head 
quarters,  and  General  Grant  determined  to  send  over  there 
and  press  the  farmers  into  hauling  to  the  river  all  they  could 
bring  away  in  boats,  and  to  destroy  the  rest.  It  was  amu 
sing  to  hear  the  soldiers  talking  about  the  expedition.  Their 
idea  then  of  war  was  that  all  engagements  between  contend 
ing  forces  must  occur  upon  a  field,  where  each  army  would 
be  drawn  up  in  a  line  in  strict  accordance  with  military  tac 
tics. 

They  freely  canvassed  the  question  of  ability  to  keep  their 
"courage  up,"  or  to  prevent  their  legs  from  carrying  them  in 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  115 

the  opposite  direction  when  commanded  to  charge  bayonets. 
Hitherto  the  enemy  had  not  materialized;  but  as  soldiering 
in  camp  had  proved  more  real  than  the  holiday  training-day 
of  militia  service,  they  began  to  fear  the  enchantment  of  dis 
tance  between  them  and  the  enemy  was  so  rapidly  shortening 
that  they  must  soon  face  the  foe,  or  play  the  coward;  and 
while  impatience  had  characterized  their  conversation,  they 
did  not  exactly  relish  the  prospect  of  an  engagement. 

When,  however,  they  found  it  was  nothing  more  serious 
than  attacking  corn-cribs  and  haymows,  their  daring  impa 
tience  returned,  and  expressions  of  disgust  were  heard  from 
every  direction.  For  many  days  they  continued  the  monot 
onous  duties  of  camp  life,  with  continuous  rain  and  mud  to 
contend  with,  till  November  6,  when  again  orders  came  for 
cooked  rations  and  everything  to  be  put  in  readiness  for  a 
bona-fide  expedition  in  pursuit  of  the  enemy.  The  troops 
were  quietly  informed  that  this  time  they  would  be  initiated 
into  the  mysteries  of  real  war.  All  was  bustle  and  confusion 
till  each  regiment  was  in  line  on  the  levee  in  the  order  in 
which  they  were  to  embark.  Hurrying  on  board  the  trans 
ports,  they  waved  a  good-by  to  the  multitude  of  men,  women, 
and  children  who  had  flocked  to  the  levees  for  a  last  adieu  to 
fathers,  husbands,  brothers,  or  sweethearts.  As  they  sailed 
away  the  band  played  "We  are  Coming,  Father  Abraham," 
and  other  patriotic  airs. 

All  the  next  day,  the  yth  of  November,  1861,  the  sound  of 
cannonading  told  sadly  and  painfully  that  the  battle  of  Bel- 
mont  was  on.  The  streets  and  levees  of  Cairo  were  thronged 
with  anxious  people  trembling  for  the  morrow,  knowing  only 
that  some  loved  one  was  in  the  fight.  Silently  we  trod  the 
levees,  trying  to  look  beyond  the  "  river  bend,"  hoping  to 
catch  a  glimpse  of  the  returning  transports.  They  knew 
from  the  direction  of  the  sound  of  the  firing  that  the  troops 
were  on  the  Missouri  side,  and  that  the  gaping  guns  stationed 
on  the  shore  at  Columbus  would  prevent  the  frail  wooden 


n6  REMINISCENCES  OF 

crafts,  or  even  the  gunboats,  from  going  below  that  point. 
They  were  sure  the  boats  would  return.  Hour  after  hour 
rolled  slowly  away,  and  still  no  tidings  save  the  continuous 
knell  of  the  cannon's  roar.  Darkness  cut  off  every  hope  of 
seeing  anything  save  the  lights  on  the  vessels,  should  they 
appear.  Nothing  daunted,  still  we  lingered  and  watched. 
Finally,  toward  the  early  dawn  a  light  like  a  meteor  was 
seen  to  dart  round  the  bend,  another  and  still  another  came, 
until  at  last  the  outline  of  the  fleet  could  be  seen.  The 
nearer  they  approached,  the  more  intense  the  agony  of  the 
anxious  watchers  on  shore.  Slowly  rounding  in,  the  vessels 
soon  touched  the  wharf,  and  the  weary  and  depleted  regi 
ments  solemnly  disembarked  and  marched  to  the  tented 
quarters  they  had  quitted  thirty-six  hours  before. 

Eagerly  the  anxious  people,  myself  among  them,  gazed  at 
every  officer  and  man  as  he  walked  the  gangway  from  the 
boat  to  the  wharf,  each  looking  for  some  friend.  Exclama 
tions  of  joy  rang  out  as  they  were  recognized  among  the  safe 
and  sound  as  they  passed.  Again,  cries  of  distress  were 
heard  as  first  one  and  then  another  was  missed  from  their 
places  in  the  lines.  Then  came  the  first  prisoners  of  war  I 
ever  saw,  and  they  were  so  forlorn,  so  thinly  clad,  so  pitiful- 
looking,  as  they  stood  shivering  on  the  hurricane  deck,  that 
my  heart  went  out  to  them  in  the  deepest  sympathy.  After 
the  prisoners  were  all  off,  the  civilians  who  failed  to  see  their 
friends  in  the  lines  were  allowed  to  go  on  board  the  boats, 
to  find  them  among  the  wounded,  dying,  or  dead,  as  they  lay 
stretched  in  the  cabins  and  on  the  decks  of  the  vessels. 

With  tear-dimmed  eyes,  blanched  faces,  and  quivering  lips 
the  friends  moved  cautiously  from  one  to  another  in  search 
of  some  loved  one  among  the  unfortunate.  All  the  pomp 
and  circumstance  of  chivalry  and  military  display  had  van 
ished;  naught  but  the  agony  of  pain  and  terror  of  death 
remained. 

Tenderly  covering  the  faces  of  the  dead  with  anything  we 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  117 

could  get,  and  trying  to  soothe  the  suffering  of  the  wounded, 
brave  men  and  women  worked  unceasingly  until  ambulances 
and  wagons  came  and  took  the  unfortunate  ones  away  to  the 
hospitals  which  had  been  hastily  prepared  for  the  sick  and 
disabled  so  suddenly  assigned  to  them.  Hotels  and  private 
houses  had  been  seized,  and  the  inefficient  purveyors  and 
quartermasters  had  put  them  in  as  good  condition  as  the 
meagre  and  ill-assorted  supplies  would  permit.  For  days 
and  weeks  physicians,  surgeons,  and  volunteer  nurses  kept 
their  constant  vigil,  trying  to  save  as  many  as  possible  from 
the  roll  of  the  dead.  After  the  battle  of  Belmont  the  wounded 
were  brought  to  the  "Striped  Hospital,"  and  the  casualties 
of  their  first  battle  were  evident  in  the  wounded,  who  were 
destined  to  submit  to  amputations  of  arms  and  legs,  Illinois 
soldiers  beginning  their  painful  experiences  in  real  war  before 
they  left  Cairo.  It  was  a  sad  sight  to  see  strong  men  plead 
ing  with  tears  in  their  eyes  for  a  foot  or  an  arm  that  must  be 
taken  off.  Many  flinched  not  under  fire  on  the  field,  but 
when  told  they  must  part  with  a  member  of  their  bodies  by 
the  surgeon's  knife  and  saw  they  wept  like  children,  more 
than  one  refusing  to  lose  a  limb,  preferring,  as  many  expressed 
it,  to  lose  their  lives  and  be  " buried  all  at  once."  Inexperi 
enced  surgeons  were  too  hasty  in  making  amputations,  and 
needlessly  sacrificed  limbs  which  might  have  been  saved.  The 
men  were  all  so  cheerful  after  the  battle,  and  tried  so  hard  to 
encourage  each  other,  that  it  was  a  pleasure  to  minister  to 
their  wants  as  volunteer  nurses. 

Captain  Looney,  of  Company  A  of  the  3ist,  Colonel 
Logan's  regiment,  was  taken  to  our  rooms  in  a  private  house, 
he  having  been  severely  wounded  in  the  shoulder.  After 
weeks  of  suffering  he  was  sent  to  his  home,  where  for  many 
months  he  hovered  between  life  and  death;  though  he  lived 
many  years  afterward,  he  was  never  again  fit  for  duty,  the 
service  thereby  losing  one  of  the  most  gallant  of  men. 

One  day,  in  the  brigade  hospital,  I  saw  a  captain  of  an 


n8  REMINISCENCES  OF 

Iowa  regiment  who  had  been  wounded  through  the  left  breast 
sitting  up  on  his  cot  writing  to  his  wife.  He  was  as  bright 
and  happy  as  could  be.  Mother  Bickerdike,  a  volunteer 
nurse  who  followed  the  Army  of  the  West  from  Cairo  to  the 
grand  review,  came  in  with  a  bowl  of  broth  for  him,  which  he 
took  and  drank  with  relish,  after  which  I  assisted  him  in  getting 
into  a  comfortable  position  to  resume  his  writing  on  a  pad. 
He  suddenly  turned  very  pale  and  we  laid  him  on  his  pil 
low.  He  looked  up  with  a  smile  on  his  face  and  breathed  his 
last.  We  were  horrified  and  ran  for  the  surgeon,  who  came, 
but  too  late;  all  was  over  with  the  brave  man.  Upon  exam 
ination  the  surgeon  found  the  minie  ball  had  lodged  just  above 
the  lung,  and  in  moving  it  had  dropped  in  such  a  way  as  to 
produce  instant  death.  Other  pathetic  scenes  of  those  days 
can  never  be  erased  from  my  memory. 

Fortunately  the  ludicrous  and  the  melancholy  go  hand  in 
hand  or  we  should  not  be  able  to  endure  the  sadness  of  life. 
It  was  very  hard  for  many  of  the  young  men  to  brook  the 
restraint  and  the  monotony  of  camp  life  and  a  soldier's  duty, 
so  they  used  to  invent  all  sorts  of  excuses  to  get  down  into 
the  city  of  Cairo.  One  evening  I  was  sitting  in  Colonel 
Logan's  tent  when  a  young  soldier  whom  we  had  known  be 
fore  his  enlistment  came  to  the  door  and  said  that  his  sister 
was  coming  to  Cairo  on  a  night  train,  and  as  she  was  unac 
customed  to  travelling  he  wished  to  go  down  to  the  city  to 
await  her  arrival  and  desired  permission  for  himself  and 
comrade  to  go.  It  was  an  unusual  request  and  should  have 
been  made  through  his  captain.  Colonel  Logan  was  suspicious 
that  it  was  not  quite  a  straight  story,  but  he  ordered  a  pass 
to  be  given  them.  He  then  sent  his  adjutant  to  the  soldier's 
captain  with  a  request  that  he  send  Colonel  Logan  a  corporal 
and  a  soldier.  These  he  ordered  to  follow  the  first  two,  see 
where  they  went,  and  what  they  did,  and  if  found  in  any  im 
proper  place  to  arrest  and  bring  the  soldiers  back  to  the  guard 
house  of  the  camp,  and  leave  them  there  till  ten  o'clock  on 


o, 

QJ    - 

C/3 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  119 

the  following  morning.  It  was  discovered  that  they  were 
not  expecting  friends  on  the  train  and  that  they  were  in  for 
a  "high  old  time,"  as  the  corporal  reported.  The  corporal 
waited  until  they  were  both  quite  drunk,  then  he  arrested 
them  and  brought  them  to  the  guard-house  as  ordered.  The 
next  morning,  when  they  were  marched  to  the  colonel's  tent, 
they  were  the  worst-looking  culprits  that  could  be  imagined, 
and  when  Colonel  Logan,  with  a  serious  face,  inquired  if  the 
sister  had  arrived,  where  she  was,  and  such  questions,  the  poor 
fellow  looked  as  if  he  were  under  sentence  of  death.  He  ac 
knowledged  the  fraud  he  had  practised  and  said  he  was 
willing  to  suffer  any  punishment  the  colonel  might  inflict; 
that  he  had  forfeited  all  respect  by  lying  and  had  nothing 
to  say  in  extenuation  of  his  conduct.  The  colonel  looked  at 
him  sternly,  administered  a  lecture  on  lying  and  his  detesta 
tion  of  liars,  and  then  ordered  that  the  offenders  should  dig 
up  by  the  roots  an  enormous  stump  which  was  in  the  rear  of 
his  tent,  where  he  could  see  them  while  they  worked.  They 
saluted  and  were  marched  off  to  obtain  the  tools  to  begin 
their  work,  which  it  took  them  some  days  to  finish.  They 
said  they  did  not  mind  the  work,  but  to  be  obliged  to  do  it 
under  the  eye  of  the  colonel  whom  they  had  deceived  was  a 
bitter  trial,  but  a  lesson  that  served  them  through  the  war, 
and  both  were  as  gallant  men  as  ever  faced  a  cannon.  They 
used  often  to  laugh  over  this  escapade  after  having  won  their 
shoulder-straps  for  gallantry  on  the  field. 

Before  another  expedition  was  to  be  undertaken  a  new 
commander  was  ordered  to  Cairo.  The  new  commander 
flew  from  regiment  to  regiment.  He  had  relieved  General 
Oglesby  and  put  him  in  command  of  Bird's  Point  on  the  op 
posite  side  of  the  river.  He  was  no  other  than  the  hitherto 
unknown  General  U.  S.  Grant.  It  was  announced  that  he 
would  at  once  inspect  every  regiment  in  and  around  Cairo, 
to  inform  himself  of  their  efficiency  and  the  full  strength  of 
his  forces.  Hurriedly,  company  and  regimental  officers  began 


120  A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE 

preparing  for  his  visit.  Soldiers  polished  up  their  muskets 
and  accoutrements,  brushed  their  shoddy  uniforms,  and  were 
speedily  ready  to  be  "  ordered  out."  Expecting  every  moment 
that  General  Grant  and  staff  would  appear  in  full  uniform 
and  much  military  display,  they  waited  impatiently.  Im 
agine  their  surprise  when  informed  that  the  unpretending, 
sturdy  gentleman  in  citizen's  dress  who  had  just  ridden  by 
on  a  very  ordinary  clay-bank  horse,  attended  by  one  officer 
and  one  or  two  of  the  officers  on  duty  at  general  headquarters, 
was  General  Grant.  Going  directly  to  the  colonel's  head 
quarters,  he  introduced  himself,  and  signified  his  desire  to  go 
through  the  quarters  of  the  regiment  and  see  the  men  of 
his  command.  Leaving  their  horses  at  each  colonel's  tent, 
and  accompanied  by  that  officer,  they  walked  through  the 
company  aisles  and  personally  inspected  everything  and 
every  man  in  camp.  By  this  businesslike  procedure,  void  of 
all  display  and  pageantry,  General  Grant  won  the  confidence 
and  admiration  of  officers  and  men.  He  afterward  said  that 
they  were  as  fine  a  body  of  men  as  he  had  ever  seen;  that  he 
would  trust  them  anywhere  to  meet  any  equal  number  in  any 
engagement. 

Almost  continual  drilling  and  manoeuvring  filled  up  every 
hour  for  many  days  subsequent.  The  soldiers  had  little  time 
for  " larks"  or  homesickness.  The  malarious  climate,  how 
ever,  began  to  tell  upon  the  troops,  and  many  became  seri 
ously  sick. 


CHAPTER  VI 

MORE  TROOPS  AT  CAIRO  —  EXPEDITION  UP  THE  TENNESSEE  AND  THE 
CUMBERLAND  —  ARRIVAL     OF     TRANSPORTS  —  FALL     OF     FORT 

HENRY  —  SIEGE  AND  CAPTURE  OF  FORT  DONELSON  —  COLONEL 
LOGAN  SEVERELY  WOUNDED  —  I  SUCCEED  IN  GETTING  TO  THE 
FRONT  —  FIND  MY  HUSBAND  AT  GRANT'S  HEADQUARTERS  — 
THE  BATTLE-FIELD'S  TRAGIC  STORY  —  WE  REACH  HOME  — 
LOGAN  REJOINS  HIS  COMMAND  AS  BRIGADIER-GENERAL  —  SHI- 
LOH  —  LOGAN'S  ADVICE  FATALLY  REJECTED  BY  HALLECK  — 
JOIN  MY  HUSBAND  AT  MEMPHIS  —  GENERAL  McPHERSON  — 
ILLNESS  OF  GENERAL  LOGAN  —  INVESTMENT  OF  VICKSBURG  — 
LOGAN'S  CHARGE  —  BLOWING  UP  FORT  HILL  —  FIRST  IN  THE 
CAPTURED  CITY  —  POLITICAL  CAMPAIGN  OF  1863  —  CONTRA 
BANDS  IN  ILLINOIS  —  I  BEFRIEND  ONE  AND  CIRCUMVENT  THE 
"GOLDEN  CIRCLE"  —  WINTER  QUARTERS  AT  HUNTSVILLE  — 
HEROISM  OF  WOMEN  THROUGHOUT  THE  WAR 

AFTER  the  battle  of  Belmont,  many  more  troops  were 
ordered  to  rendezvous  at  Cairo,  Illinois.  General  Grant 
was  designated  to  organize  an  expedition  up  the  Tennessee 
and  Cumberland  Rivers.  During  the  months  of  December 
and  January,  in  the  worst  weather  ever  experienced  in  that 
climate,  the  troops  in  great  numbers  were  mobilized  in  and 
around  inhospitable  Cairo.  Munitions  of  war  and  commis 
sary  stores  were  accumulated  in  great  quantity.  The  troops, 
while  ignorant  of  their  destination,  knew  instinctively  that 
some  important  movement  was  soon  to  be  inaugurated.  Brief 
as  was  their  engagement  at  Belmont,  they  began  to  realize 
fully  that  Sherman's  definition,  "War  is  hell/'  was  correct. 

Finally  the  transports  began  to  come  into  the  port  at  Cairo. 
Orders  were  issued  for  the  troops  to  be  ready  to  embark  on 

121 


122  REMINISCENCES  OF 

the  5th  of  February.  From  the  moment  of  the  receipt  of  this 
order  the  camps  were  all  excitement  with  the  preparations. 
Camp  equipments  were  to  be  packed,  and  personal  belong 
ings  reduced  to  the  smallest  possible  compact  parcel;  business 
affairs  had  to  be  arranged  by  writing;  letters,  wills,  and  fare 
wells  had  to  be  written,  and  everything  prepared  for  a  speedy 
departure  to  an  unknown  destination  and  fate. 

The  transports  set  sail  in  a  pitiless  storm  of  snow  and 
sleet.  Going  as  far  as  they  could  up  the  river,  the  troops 
were  landed  and  proceeded  to  surround  Fort  Henry,  which 
was  to  be  attacked  by  our  gunboats.  The  whole  country 
adjacent  was  submerged  by  water;  the  land  was  heavily 
timbered,  and  it  was  almost  impassable  for  the  quartermas 
ter  and  ordnance  wagons,  while  it  was  with  great  difficulty 
that  the  artillery  could  be  moved  at  all;  but  so  dauntless 
were  the  troops  of  Grant's  command  that  Fort  Henry  soon 
succumbed. 

As  soon  as  the  fall  of  Fort  Henry  was  assured,  General 
Grant  pushed  forward  with  redoubled  vigor,  the  assault  by 
the  gunboats  having  already  begun  upon  Fort  Donelson. 
The  storms  of  the  winter  of  1861-2  were  unprecedented,  being 
especially  wild  during  the  month  of  February.  Everything 
was  covered  with  ice  and  snow;  night  and  day  a  raw,  cold 
wind  blew  such  bitter  blasts  that  men  and  animals  could 
scarcely  stand  against  its  force.  They  had  to  move  about  or 
freeze  to  death.  More  than  one  of  the  brave  men  in  the  siege 
died  from  the  exposure  they  experienced.  Their  clothing  was 
frozen  on  them.  Officers  and  men  fared  alike  during  the  en 
tire  siege  of  Fort  Donelson,  and  there  was  little  respite  for 
either.  Colonel  Logan  was  in  the  saddle  almost  continuously, 
taking  only  brief  rests  by  lying  down  on  the  ground  with  his 
saddle  under  his  head,  and  over  him  his  saddle-blanket,  which 
was  frozen  when  he  rose  to  mount  his  horse  again.  From  this 
exposure  he  contracted  rheumatism  from  which  he  never  re 
covered,  and  which  finally  cost  him  his  life.  So  near  the 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  123 

fortifications  were  they  that  they  did  not  dare  to  build  fires 
by  which  to  warm  themselves  or  cook  anything  to  eat. 

Colonel  Ransom,  with  the  nth,  and  Colonel  John  A.  Logan, 
with  the  3ist  Illinois  Infantry,  had  gone  into  the  siege  side 
by  side.  Finding  the  ammunition  short,  these  gallant  men 
made  an  agreement  to  stand  or  fall  together.  They  were  to 
alternate  in  holding  their  places  in  the  besieging  line  and 
thereby  make  the  ammunition  last  as  long  as  possible.  They 
supported  each  other  until  the  victory  was  won,  but  at  a  ter 
rible  cost  to  themselves  and  the  gallant  regiments  they  com 
manded,  every  man  of  whom  was  ready  to  follow  either  leader 
into  the  very  jaws  of  death,  as  attested  by  the  number  who 
fell  before  the  capitulation  of  Fort  Donelson. 

The  Telegraph  announced  that  Fort  Donelson  had  fallen 
February  15,  1862,  and  also  gave  a  list  of  the  killed  and 
wounded;  in  the  list  of  killed  appeared  the  names  of  Colonel 
John  A.  Logan,  Lieutenant-Colonel  John  H.  White,  four  cap 
tains  of  the  3ist  Regiment,  of  Illinois,  and  a  great  number  of 
the  men,  all  of  whom  I  knew  personally.  There  were  many 
Illinois  troops  in  General  Grant's  command,  and  consequently 
the  State  lost  heavily  of  her  officers  and  soldiers  in  the  expe 
dition  against  Forts  Henry  and  Donelson. 

On  receipt  of  the  overwhelming  news  of  my  husband's 
death,  I  started  at  once  for  Cairo,  Illinois,  determined,  if  it 
were  possible,  to  go  to  Fort  Donelson  at  all  hazards.  Trans 
portation  was  very  limited,  and  hundreds  of  people  flocked  to 
Cairo,  anxious  to  go  up  the  Tennessee  and  Cumberland  Rivers 
in  pursuit  of  friends  who  had  been  killed  or  wounded.  Orders 
were  issued  from  the  War  Department  to  allow  no  one  on 
board  the  few  transports  then  at  the  command  of  the  army. 
General  Grant  was  to  be  reinforced  at  once  so  that  he  could 
continue  the  march  to  Pittsburg  Landing  and  on  to  Corinth. 
On  my  arrival  at  Cairo  I  learned  that  Colonel  Logan  was  not 
killed,  but  was  severely  wounded,  news  which  made  me  all  the 
more  anxious  to  join  him.  Going  to  army  headquarters  at 


124  REMINISCENCES   OF 

Cairo,  I  applied  for  permission  to  go  up  the  river.  The  colo 
nel  commanding  assumed  an  imperious  air,  informing  me 
with  much  emphasis  that  military  necessity  compelled  him 
to  refuse  me  a  pass.  My  heart  was  almost  broken;  I  could 
hardly  stand  on  my  feet  while  I  addressed  this  high  and 
mighty  personage;  hence  I  could  only  reply  that  I  trusted, 
"if  the  exigencies  of  the  service  should  ever  send  him  to  the 
front,  and  he  should  be  so  unfortunate  as  to  suffer  any  of  the 
fatalities  of  war,  a  military  necessity  would  not  prevent  Mrs. 
Graham  from  going  to  him. ' '  He  answered  savagely :  ' '  Thank 
you,  madam,  there  is  no  Mrs.  Graham."  And  I  retorted:  "If 
there  was  one  intended,  I  hope  she  died  in  her  infancy."  With 
fast-falling  tears  I  left  headquarters,  fully  intending  to  go  to 
Fort  Donelson  if  I  had  to  go  in  a  rowboat,  or  cross  the  river 
and  drive  overland.  When  I  reached  the  hotel  I  found  that 
Governor  Yates,  of  Illinois,  and  Governor  Morton,  of  Indiana, 
had  both  arrived,  and  were  going  to  charter  steamers  to  go 
and  bring  the  wounded  and  the  remains  of  those  who  had 
been  killed  home  to  their  respective  States.  I  hastened  to 
call  on  them  and  was  assured  I  could  go  with  either  of  them. 
Dear  old  Colonel  Dunlap,  of  Jacksonville,  Illinois,  brigade 
quartermaster  of  McClernand's  brigade  was  present,  and  as 
I  passed  out  of  the  room  he  followed  me  into  the  hall  and 
whispered  to  me  the  name  of  the  steamer  which  was  going 
first  and  which  was  then  being  loaded  at  the  wharf.  He 
said:  "Slip  down  to  the  boat,  tell  them  you  are  a  member 
of  my  family,  and  that  you  are  to  wait  for  me  until  I  come  to 
the  boat  a  few  hours  later.  After  you  are  on  board,  hide  in 
one  of  the  staterooms,  and  you  will  not  be  disturbed,  as,  in 
the  mean  while,  I  will  give  such  instructions  as  will  protect 
you."  I  lost  no  time  in  getting  to  the  boat  and,  to  my  de 
light,  found  Captain  Arter  in  command.  Colonel  Logan  had 
a  few  years  before  defended  and  cleared  him  of  a  charge  of 
manslaughter.  He  was  an  old  river  captain  and  had  gotten 
into  trouble  with  a  roustabout  employed  on  his  boat.  He 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  125 

welcomed  me  most  cordially,  and  understood  without  asking 
that  I  had  no  pass.  He  said:  " Come  on  board,  and  you  shall 
see  Logan."  He  conducted  me  up  a  veritable  winding  stairs 
to  a  stateroom  on  the  hurricane-deck,  and  I  did  not  stir 
abroad  until  we  were  under  way  and  the  stars  were  shining. 
Captain  Arter  came  and  knocked  on  my  door,  calling  out: 
"The  coast  is  clear.  Come  down  to  supper." 

As  we  sailed  up  the  river  it  seemed  like  a  shoreless  sheet 
of  water  and  ice,  as  the  waters  were  so  high  they  extended  over 
acres  of  ground  far  outside  the  banks.  Mammoth  trees  rose 
out  of  the  water  like  islands  in  the  sea,  and  but  for  long  ex 
perience  the  pilot  could  not  have  kept  in  the  channel.  The 
long,  gray  moss  which  hung  like  mystic  veils  from  all  the 
trees  invested  everything  with  a  weird  appearance  and  made 
one  feel  he  was  penetrating  into  a  mysterious  land.  We  ar 
rived  at  an  early  hour  in  the  morning,  and  as  we  approached 
we  saw  the  stars  and  stripes  flying  over  the  ramparts  of  Fort 
Donelson.  As  we  neared  the  landing  our  boat  almost  touched 
the  guards  of  the  decks  of  the  steamer  Uncle  Sam  upon  which 
were  General  Grant's  headquarters.  Recognizing  me,  a  num 
ber  of  the  officers  who  came  out  on  the  deck  hailed  me,  tell 
ing  me  to  come  on  board,  General  Grant  having  had  both 
Colonel  Ransom  and  Colonel  Logan  carried  to  his  headquar 
ters  after  the  surrender.  In  a  briefer  time  than  it  has  taken 
to  write  this  story,  I  was  ascending  the  companionway  of  the 
Uncle  Sam,  to  find  my  husband  lying  on  a  cot  with  his  left 
arm  strapped  to  his  body,  it  having  been  wounded  near  the 
point  of  the  shoulder,  the  rifle-ball  passing  through  the  shoul 
der-joint.  Another  ball  struck  the  pistol  he  carried  in  his 
belt,  and  nearly  broke  his  ribs,  from  which  he  suffered  almost 
as  much  as  from  the  wound  in  the  arm  and  shoulder.  Colo 
nel  Ransom  and  Colonel  Logan  lay  on  cots  side  by  side  on 
the  Uncle  Sam,  where  General  Grant  had  done  the  very  best 
he  could  for  them. 

From  the  severe  weather  and  exposure  hundreds  had  come 


126  REMINISCENCES   OF 

down  with  pneumonia  and  typhoid  fever.  Transportation 
was  so  limited  that  General  Grant  could  not  send  the  sick 
and  wounded  North  as  rapidly  as  he  desired.  He  therefore 
took  possession  of  the  many  vacant  houses  and  tried  to  es 
tablish  hospitals,  to  make  the  sufferers  as  comfortable  as  pos 
sible,  with  the  thermometer  below  zero  and  the  meagre  sup 
plies  attainable.  As  soon  as  possible,  therefore,  I  made  my 
two  patients,  Colonels  Ransom  and  Logan,  much  happier  than 
they  had  been,  as  I  had  not  been  so  improvident  as  to  go  to 
Colonel  Logan  empty-handed,  but  had  hastily  laid  in  clo 
thing,  delicacies,  and  many  necessities  for  the  relief  of  the  sick 
and  wounded.  As  I  was  the  eldest  of  a  family  of  thirteen, 
my  education  in  caring  for  the  sick  and  preparing  the  proper 
diet  for  invalids  had  not  been  neglected,  and  so  I  lost  no 
time  in  fmding  the  stewards  and  their  kitchens.  Only  those 
who  have  had  like  experience  can  appreciate  what  a  sponge- 
bath  of  alcohol  and  hot  water,  clean  clothes,  and  nourishing 
food  meant  to  those  brave  men  after  the  long,  weary  hours  of 
suffering  and  discomfort  that  they  had  endured  from  the 
hour  they  had  fallen  on  the  bloody  field. 

After  ministering  to  their  relief  and  when  they  were  sleeping 
quietly,  I  went  with  some  friends  to  look  after  those  whom 
we  knew  who  were  either  sick  or  wounded  and  had  been 
carried  to  improvised  hospitals.  We  also  attended  the  burial 
service  which  was  held  over  the  brave  men  of  the  nth  and 
3ist  Illinois  Regiments  that  had  fought  so  bravely.  While 
life  lasts  I  shall  never  forget  the  sight  upon  which  I  looked 
through  tears  on  the  battle-field.  The  long  trenches  had 
been  dug  by  their  weary  comrades.  The  heroic  dead  had 
been  brought  and  laid  side  by  side  in  them.  Their  overcoats 
and  blankets  were  wrapped  about  their  lifeless  forms.  Tents 
were  ripped  so  as  to  make  tarpaulins  with  which  to  cover  them 
over.  Chaplains  standing  close  to  the  centre,  with  uncovered 
heads,  prayed  fervently  for  peace  to  the  souls  of  the  gallant 
dead  about  to  be  laid  to  rest  in  mother  earth,  where  they 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  127 

would  sleep  their  last  sleep  till  the  trump  of  the  resurrection 
should  call  them  to  glory  in  that  land  where  wars  can  never 
come.  After  the  bugler's  long,  sad  note  I  turned  away  with 
unspeakable  sadness  from  this,  the  first  interment  on  a  battle 
field  I  had  ever  witnessed,  appreciating  more  keenly  than  I 
had  ever  done  before  the  melancholy  significance  of  the  words: 
" Buried  on  the  field  where  they  had  fallen,"  and  realizing 
that  it  was  barely  possible,  after  sanguinary  engagements, 
to  pay  as  much  tribute  to  the  dead  as  had  been  done 
in  this  one  of  the  early  battles  in  the  West  during  the  Civil 
War. 

For  many  days  I  continued  my  constant  vigil  over  Colonels 
Ransom  and  Logan,  as  serious  complications  in  both  cases 
set  in,  and  it  required  the  surgeon's  best  skill  to  save  them. 

Meanwhile  General  Grant  was  steadily  pushing  his  prep 
arations  for  the  continuation  of  the  expedition  to  Pittsburg 
Landing  (know  also  as  Shiloh)  en  route  to  Corinth,  Missis 
sippi,  then  the  headquarters  of  Beauregard's  army.  Trans 
portation  was  finally  secured  for  Colonel  Ransom  to  take  him 
North  to  his  friends.  The  surgeons  succeeded  in  finding 
quarters  to  which  Colonel  Logan  was  removed,  as  the  Uncle 
Sam  had  to  proceed  up  the  river  with  General  Grant  and  his 
staff. 

It  would  seem  hopeless  now  to  care  for  an  invalid  with  the 
scant  supplies,  crude  utensils,  and  appliances  we  could  then 
command;  but,  thanks  to  untiring  surgeons  and  devoted 
friends,  who  were  constantly  coming  from  the  North  with 
sanitary  stores  and  most  generous  commissaries,  our  larder 
was  kept  quite  full.  Tin  pans  gradually  gave  way  to  real 
saucepans;  broilers  succeeded  the  long  forked  stick  which  had 
been  used  for  broiling  everything;  coffee  and  tea  pots  took  the 
place  of  tin  cans;  and  wooden  johnny-cake  boards  were  sup 
planted  by  iron  skillets  with  iron  lids.  Donations  of  glass, 
queensware,  cutlery,  blankets,  bed  and  table  linen  increased 
our  stores,  until  at  the  end  of  three  weeks  we  were  living 


128  REMINISCENCES  OF 

in  affluence  and  were  able  to  provide  for  many  more  who 
were  wounded  or  ill  in  other  parts  of  the  building. 

I  look  back  upon  that  experience  now  with  infinite  satis 
faction,  as  I  was  able  to  nurse  my  husband  back  to  health 
and  strength  and  he  was  spared  to  me  and  to  his  country 
for  a  quarter  of  a  century  longer. 

The  surgeons  and  physicians  deciding  that  Colonel  Logan 
was  able  to  be  moved,  he  was  taken  on  board  a  transport,  and 
by  exercising  great  care  we  reached  our  home,  which  was  then 
at  Murphysboro,  Jackson  County,  Illinois.  We  had  scarcely 
recovered  from  the  fatigue  of  the  journey  when  the  news  of 
the  approaching  battle  of  Shiloh  was  received.  Like  an  impa 
tient  steed,  Colonel  (now  Brigadier- General)  Logan  sniffed  the 
battle  from  afar,  and  though  unable  to  put  his  arm  in  his 
coat-sleeve,  he  insisted  upon  rejoining  his  command  in  time, 
if  possible,  to  participate  in  the  expected  battle.  The  stars 
he  had  won  at  Donelson  would  necessitate  his  assuming  graver 
duties,  and  he  was  most  anxious  to  have  his  old  regiment 
assigned  to  his  brigade.  Ignoring  appeals  to  remain  until  his 
wound  was  healed,  he  set  out  for  Shiloh,  arriving  there  late 
in  the  afternoon  of  the  last  day  of  that  memorable  engage 
ment,  disgusted  with  the  delays  of  transportation  that  had 
prevented  him  from  participating  in  that  mighty  struggle, 
when  fortune  apparently  wavered  from  the  Union  to  the 
Confederate  army,  and  then  back  to  the  army  of  the  Union. 

Scarcely  halting  long  enough  to  gather  up  the  sick  and 
wounded  and  to  bury  the  dead,  General  Grant  moved  for 
ward,  hoping  to  capture  Beauregard  and  his  army.  General 
Logan  was  placed  in  command  of  the  First  Brigade,  Third  Di 
vision,  Seventeenth  Army  Corps.  He  was  proud  of  his  com 
mand,  and  would  have  been  happy  but  for  the  fateful  effect 
of  the  attacks  of  scandal-mongers  upon  General  Grant,  char 
ging  him  with  intemperance  and  incapacity  to  command  the 
dauntless  army,  which  was  subsequently  a  part  of  the  invin 
cible  Army  of  the  Tennessee.  The  authorities  at  Washing- 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  129 

ton  were  so  impressed  by  these  reports,  supposed  to  come 
from  loyal,  honest  persons,  that,  wishing  to  protect  the  army 
which  had  scored  the  first  victories  for  the  Union,  they  placed 
General  Halleck  in  command,  and  designated  General  Grant 
as  second  in  command,  a  designation  never  before  or  since 
made  in  the  American  army.  General  Grant  felt  the  indig 
nity  deeply,  but,  true  soldier  that  he  was,  he  pushed  his  plans 
for  the  capture  of  Corinth  with  unremitting  vigor,  though 
handicapped  at  every  turn  by  Halleck's  dilatory,  technical 
methods. 

Grant  and  Logan  were  on  the  most  intimate  terms,  and, 
being  aggressive  soldiers,  they  became  restive  under  Hal 
leck's  over-cautious  tactics.  General  Logan's  command  was 
placed  astride  the  Mobile  and  Ohio  Railroad  which  ran  into 
Corinth.  In  this  brigade  there  were  a  number  of  men  formerly 
in  the  employ  of  railroads  and  who  understood  sounds  con 
veyed  by  the  rails.  General  Logan  learned  from  the  teleg 
raphy  of  these  sounds  that  empty  trains  were  being  taken 
into  Corinth  and  that  they  were  loaded  when  they  were  run 
out.  Convinced  that  the  Confederates  were  evacuating  Cor 
inth,  and  that  if  they  escaped  it  would  mean  another  long  and 
weary  chase  which  would  cost  many  lives  and  great  hardship 
to  the  army,  he  went  to  Grant  and  begged  him  to  let  him 
feel  the  enemy  and  attack  them  if  he  proved  that  he  was 
right  about  their  movements. 

Grant  believed  Logan  and  wanted  to  let  him  try,  but  Hal 
leck  condemned  the  whole  suggestion  and  intimated  that  if 
Logan  repeated  his  impertinence  by  such  reports  he  would 
put  him  under  arrest  and  relieve  him  of  his  command.  Gen 
eral  Grant  in  his  memoirs  says:  "May  28th,  1862,  Gen. 
Logan  informed  me  that  the  enemy  had  been  evacuating  for 
several  days,  and  that,  if  allowed,  he  could  go  into  Corinth 
with  his  brigade."  Beauregard  had  begun  to  evacuate  on  the 
25th  of  May,  but  General  Halleck  would  have  no  suggestions 
from  Grant  or  Logan,  and  waited  his  own  time  to  find, 


130  REMINISCENCES  OF 

when  he  issued  his  celebrated  order  of  attack  of  May  30,  no 
enemy  on  his  front.  Soon  after  Halleck  was  called  to  Wash 
ington  and  Grant,  untrammelled  by  a  martinet,  began  his 
campaign  in  pursuit  of  the  wily  enemy.  Our  gallant  army 
continued  the  chase,  stopping  ever  and  anon  to  fight  a  battle 
and  scale  fortifications,  or  rout  the  enemy. 

After  Corinth  came  the  trying  and  tedious  march  through 
the  enemy's  country  to  Jackson,  Lagrange,  and  Memphis, 
Tennessee. 

In  the  fall  and  winter  of  1862-3  General  Logan's  command 
was  encamped  at  Memphis,  Tennessee.  The  general  had 
been  almost  constantly  in  the  saddle  from  the  time  he  reached 
Shiloh  and  joined  his  command  in  the  movement  against  Cor 
inth.  The  weather  was  inclement  and  the  condition  of  the 
roads  dreadful,  the  streets  of  the  city  being  well-nigh  impass 
able. 

On  hearing  that  General  Logan  had  reached  Memphis,  I 
applied  for  transportation  to  join  him,  and  succeeded  in  get 
ting  it — a  most  difficult  thing  to  accomplish  in  those  days, 
with  the  meagre  facilities  at  the  command  of  the  army.  Gen 
eral  Logan  and  his  staff  were  staying  at  the  Gayoso  House, 
as  were  also  General  McPherson  and  his  staff.  When  I  ar 
rived  I  found  that  our  friends  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sanger  and  their 
daughter,  Miss  Harriet,  now  the  widow  of  George  M.  Pull 
man,  were  guests  of  the  hotel.  Miss  Harriet  Sanger  was 
one  of  the  most  beautiful  and  captivating  girls  in  the 
West.  General  McPherson  admired  her  extravagantly.  She 
had  also  a  devotee  in  the  person  of  Colonel  F.  A.  Star 
ring,  of  the  72d  Illinois  Infantry  Regiment.  The  72d  was 
from  Chicago  and  its  vicinity  and  had  an  unusually  fine 
band.  One  night  Colonel  Starring  arranged  for  his  band 
to  serenade  Miss  Sanger.  He  had  called  for  Miss  Sanger, 
who  came  down  to  the  parlor  to  receive  him,  and  while  they 
were  listening  to  the  music  they  heard  cheering.  Colonel 
Starring  stepped  out  on  the  balcony  and  found  General  Me- 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  131 

Pherson  on  another  balcony  a  few  feet  away  acknowledging 
the  serenade.  One  of  his  staff  had  supposed,  of  course,  that 
the  serenade  was  for  General  McPherson,  and  ordered  refresh 
ments  in  the  hotel  dining-room  for  the  band  men.  This 
naturally  inspired  the  band  to  play  vociferously  after  the  re 
past.  Miss  Sanger  induced  Colonel  Starring  not  to  say  any 
thing  about  the  serenade  having  been  intended  for  her,  so 
that  General  McPherson  might  enjoy  the  compliment  ignorant 
of  the  fact  that  the  serenade  had  not  been  intended  for  him. 
It  was  too  good  a  joke,  however,  to  be  kept  a  secret.  Some 
body  told  General  McPherson,  who  was  much  chagrined  over 
the  affair.  He  tried  to  treat  the  occurrence  jocularly,  but 
was  unable  to  conceal  his  annoyance. 

General  McPherson  was,  without  exception,  the  most  un 
assuming  and  agreeable  man  I  ever  knew.  His  soldierly  qual 
ities  were  of  the  highest  order.  True  nobility  characterized 
his  conduct  as  a  man  and  a  gentleman.  His  orders  were 
military  in  every  sense  of  the  word,  but  without  a  note  of 
the  martinet  running  through  them.  The  attachment  be 
tween  him  and  General  Logan  was  very  strong,  and  found 
expression  in  General  Logan's  heroic  action  after  McPherson 
fell,  July  22,  1864. 

A  few  days  after  the  episode  related  above  General  Logan's 
headquarters  were  established  in  the  grounds  surrounding  the 
magnificent  Lanier  place  on  the  outskirts  of  the  city.  General 
Logan  and  I  were  given  rooms  in  the  stately  mansion.  As 
soon  as  possible  thereafter  General  Logan  began  to  get  his 
division  ready  to  be  reviewed.  General  McPherson  reviewed 
the  whole  command,  doing  us  the  honor  to  dine  with  us  in 
the  Lanier  mansion  after  the  review  was  over. 

The  troops  had  been  paid  a  day  or  two  before,  and  natu 
rally  many  of  them  went  on  a  grand  spree,  and  it  was  with 
great  difficulty  that  the  officers  could  get  their  troops  suffi 
ciently  straightened  out  for  the  review.  Colonel  John  D. 
Stephenson  commanded  a  Missouri  regiment,  one  of  the 


i3 2  REMINISCENCES  OF 

bravest,  most  brilliant,  and  best  of  men.  His  regiment  was 
made  up  of  men  from  the  docks  of  Saint  Louis,  and  they  were 
a  pretty  hard  tribe.  They  had  been  fighting  among  them 
selves,  and  almost  all  of  them  appeared  in  line  for  the  review 
with  black  eyes  and  otherwise  "bummed  up."  The  morning 
of  the  review  Colonel  Stephenson  started  to  go  into  the  sut 
ler's  tent.  There  was  a  piece  of  timber  standing  near  by 
which  fell  and  struck  the  colonel  on  the  side  of  the  head 
causing  great  discoloration  of  his  cheeks  and  under  his  eyes. 
General  McPherson  was  full  of  fun,  and,  on  returning  to  Colo 
nel  Stephenson's  tent  after  reviewing  his  regiment,  he  said: 
"Colonel,  I  am  surprised  to  see  that  you  have  a  black-eyed 
regiment,"  a  facetious  remark  which  we  all  enjoyed. 

The  day  of  the  review  was  the  last  time  that  General 
Logan  was  really  able  to  leave  his  bed.  After  his  long  ex 
posure  and  hard  work  I  acted  as  amanuensis  and  messenger 
for  him,  taking  his  orders  to  the  headquarters  tent  on  the 
grounds  of  the  Lanier  place.  One  day  he  wanted  from  his 
adjutant-general  a  particular  paper  which  he  was  to  use,  and 
I  told  him  that  I  could  go  over  and  get  it  as  well  as  not.  I 
started  over,  and  as  I  passed  Colonel  Stolbrand's  tent  I  saw 
his  clerk  was  tied  to  a  tree  which  stood  almost  in  front  of  it. 
Poor  Crutchfield  looked  so  unhappy,  having  just  recovered 
from  a  debauch,  that  he  touched  my  heart,  and  I  ran  into  the 
cook's  tent,  got  a  butcher  knife,  and  cut  the  ropes  to  free  him. 
I  told  Crutchfield  to  go  to  his  tent  and  hide  himself  as  soon 
as  possible.  Colonel  Stolbrand  was  on  duty  somewhere  and 
did  not  know  who  had  cut  the  ropes  to  free  Crutchfield. 
Colonel  Stolbrand  was  a  fine  specimen  of  a  Swedish  officer, 
with  his  ruddy  complexion  and  sandy  hair.  He  wore  the 
red  of  the  artillery,  and  altogether  was  rather  a  flaming 
specimen  when  he  came  rushing  into  General  Logan's  room 
in  a  towering  rage,  reporting  to  the  general  that  somebody 
had  freed  Crutchfield,  whom  he  had  tied  to  discipline  and 
sober  up,  insisting  that  he  could  not  find  out  that  it  was 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  133 

anybody  in  the  army.  If  it  was  they  had  got  to  be  pun 
ished,  and  if  it  was  an  outsider  he  must  be  driven  from  the 
camp  immediately.  I  had  said  nothing  to  the  general  about 
what  I  had  done,  and  enjoyed  very  much  Stolbrand's  indig 
nation. 

A  few  days  before,  Colonel  Stolbrand  had  been  telegraphed 
to  meet  his  wife,  who  was  trying  to  join  him  at  some  station 
above  Memphis.  The  general  was  not  inclined  to  let  him 
go.  Colonel  Stolbrand  happened  to  ask  permission  in  my 
presence,  and  I  said  to  the  general:  "Oh,  let  him  go,  he  will 
be  back  all  right."  After  my  pleading  the  general  did  let 
him  go,  and  Colonel  Stolbrand  was  very  grateful  to  me.  He 
went,  and,  of  course,  got  back  all  right. 

The  incident  involving  Crutchfield  occurred  a  day  or  two 
after  Colonel  Stolbrand's  return.  I  listened  quietly  to  what 
he  was  saying  to  the  general,  and  when  he  had  finished  I  said : 
"Now,  colonel,  suppose  it  turns  out  that  the  person  who  cut 
that  rope  does  not  belong  to  the  army,  and  nobody  has  any 
authority  to  drive  them  out  of  the  camp,  what  would  you 
do?"  He  said:  "I  would  drive  them  away  from  the  camp 
at  the  point  of  my  sword."  I  said:  "I  believe  there  was  a 
man  who  wanted  to  join  his  wife  a  few  days  ago,  and  his 
commanding  officer  would  not  consent  to  let  him  go.  Some 
body  interfered  and  the  man  finally  got  permission."  This 
remark  gave  the  stolid  Swede  an  idea  that  I  might  have  done 
this,  and  so  he  said:  "Ah,  Mrs.  Logan,  my  dear  lady,  I  have 
great  reverence  for  you,  but  you  must  not  do  that  thing 
again,  or  I  shall  be  obliged  to  make  charges  against  you." 
The  general  saw  at  once  that  I  was  the  guilty  party,  and 
kept  up  the  joke  with  Stolbrand  by  saying  that  if  any  such 
thing  ever  occurred  again  he  would  have  the  culprit  driven 
beyond  the  lines  by  a  drum  corps,  which  put  Colonel  Stol 
brand  in  a  good  humor.  I  was  not  willing  to  let  it  go  at 
that,  so  I  said  to  Colonel  Stolbrand,  "Colonel,  Crutchfield 
has  sworn  to  me  that  he  will  never  touch  another  drop  of 


134  REMINISCENCES  OF 

liquor  while  he  is  in  your  command,  and  you  know  that  he 
is  a  very  valuable  clerk,  and  I  am  sure  you  do  not  wish  to 
part  with  him.  Now  promise  me  that  you  will  inflict  a  very 
light  punishment  on  him  for  this  misdemeanor  and  that  you 
will  give  him  a  chance  to  keep  his  oath  of  total  abstinence 
in  the  future."  I  saw  no  more  of  poor  Crutchfield  for  many 
years,  but  I  was  on  a  Mississippi  River  steamer  going  up  the 
river  one  day,  when  somebody  called  me  by  name  from  the 
shore,  and,  standing  on  the  deck,  I  responded.  He  then 
called:  "Mrs.  Logan,  this  is  Crutchfield,  and  I  am  sober  yet." 

Colonel  Stolbrand  won  his  star  for  his  gallant  and  soldierly 
conduct,  and  continued  to  remain  on  the  general's  staff  to  the 
close  of  the  war.  He  was  subsequently  elected  to  Congress 
from  a  district  in  South  Carolina,  and  died  in  the  South  a 
good  many  years  ago. 

The  troops  remained  in  Memphis  many  weeks,  and  I  stayed 
with  the  general  until  they  were  ready  to  march.  He  was 
very  ill  for  some  time  with  a  fever,  and  worried  all  the  time 
as  to  what  to  do  to  keep  the  soldiers  from  deserting.  Hearing 
that  they  were  going  to  serenade  him,  he  concluded  that  when 
he  made  his  speech  on  the  balcony  he  would  have  an  order 
ready  to  issue  appealing  to  them  not  to  disgrace  themselves 
by  yielding  to  the  influence  of  letters  from  home,  which  had 
created  so  much  dissatisfaction  among  the  troops.  We  had 
a  great  time  preparing  this  address  and  this  order,  because 
the  general  was  almost  too  weak  to  get  them  into  the  shape 
in  which  he  wished  to  have  them.  It  seemed  as  though  al 
most  the  entire  Seventeenth  Corps  assembled  on  the  grounds 
of  the  Lanier  place  on  the  night  that  they  tendered  him  the 
serenade.  Colonel  Stephenson  was  to  make  a  little  speech 
to  the  general,  pledging  the  devotion  and  fidelity  of  the  troops 
to  him  and  their  hope  that  he  would  soon  be  able  to  be  on 
duty  again.  We  stood  on  the  balcony  in  front  of  the  mansion 
during  and  after  the  serenade.  Colonel  Stephenson  then 
made  his  address,  to  which  General  Logan  replied,  read- 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  135 

ing  a  copy  of  the  order  urging  them  to  stand  by  their  colors 
until  they  were  planted  on  the  ramparts  of  Vicksburg  and 
New  Orleans.  He  said  he  knew  they  could  do  it  if  they 
determined  to,  and  that  he  would  never  order  them  to  do 
anything  in  which  he  was  not  willing  to  take  the  lead.  He 
fulfilled  that  promise  to  them  literally,  as  he  and  his  com 
mand  were  ever  in  the  van  until  the  fall  of  Vicksburg  and  the 
lifting  of  the  blockade  from  the  Mississippi. 

The  general  had  a  very  delightful  staff :  Colonel  Townes, 
Colonel  Hotaling,  Colonel  Yorke,  Colonel  Lloyd  Wheaton, 
now  retired  major-general  of  the  regular  army  and  on  whose 
escutcheon  there  is  not  a  blot  after  his  many  years  of  serv 
ice.  Major  Whitehead,  Major  J.  H.  Hoover,  Major  Holcomb, 
and  others  were  also  on  the  staff,  and  were  untiring  in 
the  discharge  of  their  duties  and  in  trying  to  make  every 
thing  agreeable.  They  treated  me  always  with  the  most  dis 
tinguished  consideration.  General  Logan  had  some  cousins 
in  his  old  regiment  which  was  encamped  quite  a  distance 
from  where  we  were  staying.  Major  Hoover  wanted  me  to 
go  and  see  them  very  much.  I  was  very  anxious  to  do  so, 
and  General  Logan  desired  me  to  go  and  look  after  them  and 
to  visit  the  headquarters  of  the  regiments  under  his  com 
mand.  Major  Hoover  had  a  very  fine  saddle-horse  which 
he  wanted  me  to  ride  when  we  made  these  visits.  There 
was  staying  in  the  Lanier  house  the  wife  of  Colonel  Sloane, 
of  the  24th  Illinois.  She  was  one  of  those  women  who  are 
always  interfering  with  and  crossing  the  members  of  her  hus 
band's  regiment.  She  came  very  near  at  one  time  breaking 
up  the  regiment  altogether,  and  was  only  prevented  by  her 
husband's  sending  her  home.  She  found  out  that  Colonel 
Hoover  was  taking  me  around  to  make  these  visits,  and 
was  determined  to  go  too.  She  asked  the  general  if  he  did 
not  think  she  ought  to  accompany  us,  and  the  general,  al 
ways  full  of  fun  and  liking  to  play  practical  jokes,  insisted 
that  she  should  join  us.  He  ordered  Hoover  to  get  her 


136  REMINISCENCES  OF 

a  horse  and  saddle  somewhere.  Hoover  did  not  want  to 
do  it,  as  he  disliked  her  excessively.  "I'll  give  her  a  John 
Gilpin  ride  if  she  insists  upon  going. "  The  mud  and  water 
was  something  terrible  on  the  morning  on  which  we  set  out 
on  this  expedition,  Mrs.  Sloane  mounted  on  an  unreliable 
horse.  Hoover,  knowing  that  I  could  ride  like  a  Comanche 
in  those  days,  had  trained  the  horses  to  follow  a  whistle  which 
he  gave.  Away  we  went  until  we  were  perfectly  covered 
with  mud  and  water.  Mrs.  Sloane  could  not  ride  very  well, 
and  it  was  not  long  before  she  was  landed  in  a  bank  of  mud 
on  the  side  of  the  road,  as  her  horse  would  keep  up  with  the 
others  and  she  could  not  stay  on.  Hoover  said  he  knew  she 
could  not  get  hurt,  but  would  be  covered  with  mud,  and  he 
would  have  his  revenge.  We  had  to  stop  and  I  had  to  take 
her  horse  and  give  her  mine,  which  was  a  very  gentle  animal, 
and  return  home,  as  we  were  not  presentable  afterward.  The 
general  suspected  that  Hoover  had  played  this  trick  because 
he  had  not  wanted  Mrs.  Sloane  to  go.  Hoover  said  it  was 
not  his  fault.  She  could  not  ride,  and  he  could  not  help  it, 
but  got  the  best  horse  he  could  for  her.  For  a  long  time 
afterward  the  staff  were  regaled  with  Hoover's  description  of 
Mrs.  Sloane's  ride,  hat  off,  hair  hanging  down,  and  clothing 
all  awry. 

Such  diversions  were  all  we  had  to  break  the  monotony 
and  anxiety  ever  hanging  over  the  army.  The  day  dawned 
all  too  soon  when  camp  was  broken,  and  the  march  was  begun 
to  Lake  Providence.  I  returned  to  my  home  to  spend  the 
next  few  months  in  unspeakable  anxiety,  knowing  that  the 
army  was  destined  to  invest  Vicksburg. 

Crossing  the  Mississippi  River,  the  Army  of  the  West  began 
its  worst  experiences  during  the  war.  It  was  proposed  to 
invest  Vicksburg,  Mississippi,  then  supposed  to  be  impreg 
nable,  by  transferring  the  army  by  way  of  Lake  Providence 
to  a  position  below  Vicksburg,  recross  the  river,  and  besiege 
the  city  from  above,  below,  and  rear.  The  swamps  and  shal- 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  137 

low  lakes  of  that  region  were  fearful  for  men  to  pass  through. 
They  tried  to  convert  them  into  canals,  hoping  they  might 
be  able  to  navigate  some  kind  of  a  craft  through  them  by 
which  they  could  transfer  the  troops  to  Port  Gibson,  the 
point  chosen  to  try  to  land  below  Vicksburg.  After  weeks 
of  struggling  with  mud  and  water,  with  little  success,  General 
Logan,  after  conferring  with  General  Grant,  called  for  volun 
teers  from  his  command  to  run  the  blockade  on  transports, 
protected  by  cotton-bales  from  the  frowning  guns  that  guarded 
the  river.  More  men  responded  than  they  could  use.  Se 
lecting  from  the  number  those  whom  they  thought  best  fitted 
for  the  hazardous  undertaking,  they  were  ready  in  a  brief 
time.  They  waited  for  the  darkest  of  nights,  which  finally 
came,  and  then  the  wooden  steamers  with  their  walls  of  cot 
ton  cast  their  moorings.  Not  a  light  was  visible  on  any  of 
the  boats,  not  a  sound  could  be  heard.  Like  the  weird  craft 
with  silent  crew  on  the  River  Styx,  they  floated  on  the  placid 
river,  past  the  mammoth  guns  of  the  forts  on  the  river  front, 
on  to  the  port  of  their  destination  before  the  sleeping  senti 
nel  knew  anything  of  the  daring  enterprise.  Once  below  Vicks 
burg,  the  transports  carried  the  troops  with  rapidity  from 
the  western  to  the  eastern  shore  of  the  river.  At  Port  Gibson 
the  Confederates  made  their  first  resistance  to  the  invading 
army  of  the  Mississippi,  but  they  were  completely  routed. 
The  bayous,  swamps,  and  impenetrable  forests  of  that  whole 
valley  of  the  Mississippi  made  it  terrible  for  an  army  to  move 
after  they  had  landed  safely;  but  the  tireless  and  undaunted 
troops  of  the  West  were  equal  to  that  herculean  task.  The 
battles  of  the  Big  Black,  Champion  Hills — one  of  the  most 
brilliant  of  the  whole  war — Raymond,  22d  of  May,  1863,  and 
other  engagements  around  the  beleaguered  city,  proved  the 
indomitable  courage  and  military  skill  of  the  officers  and  men 
of  the  Western  army.  General  Grant,  acting  upon  what  he 
supposed  was  reliable  information  from  Major-General  John 
A.  McClernand,  one  of  his  corps  commanders,  that  he  had 


i38  REMINISCENCES   OF 

captured  a  section  of  the  outer  works,  ordered  an  assault 
May  22,  1863.  General  Logan  disagreed  with  General  Grant 
about  the  wisdom  of  this  assault,  doubting  the  truth  of  the 
information  which  had  been  given  General  Grant,  but  as  Gen 
eral  Logan  never  faltered  or  hesitated  to  execute  his  orders, 
the  First  Brigade,  Third  Division  of  the  Seventeenth  Army 
Corps,  with  General  Logan  leading,  started  up  the  rugged 
sides  of  the  hills  surrounding  Vicksburg.  Again  and  again 
they  charged,  losing  many  gallant  men  in  each  ineffectual 
assault.  Finally  General  Grant  found  he  had  been  misin 
formed  and  that  the  whole  force  inside  the  walls  had  been 
concentrated  against  the  Seventeenth  Army  Corps.  He  ha 
stily  ordered  them  to  retire,  and  as  speedily  relieved  the  of 
ficer  who  had  so  prematurely  announced  a  victory  which  he 
had  hoped  to  win  but  which  had  not  been  accomplished. 

General  Logan  considered  May  22  one  of  the  most  disas 
trous  and  fearful  undertakings  of  any  siege  during  his  service. 
The  almost  perpendicular  side  of  the  bluffs  surrounding  the 
well-fortified  city  of  Vicksburg,  the  immense  advantage  of 
the  besieged  over  the  besiegers,  and  the  almost  hopeless  task 
of  accomplishing  anything  made  it  a  most  unsatisfactory  and 
ill-advised  attack.  For  six  or  eight  weeks  the  siege  was  con 
tinued,  every  day  adding  to  the  casualties  of  the  besiegers  and 
the  discomfort  and  certain  doom  of  the  besieged. 

General  Logan  felt  quite  sure  of  success  through  the  mining 
and  sapping  of  Fort  Hill,  which  was  one  of  the  strongest  points 
in  the  cordon  of  fortifications  that  encircled  the  natural  strong 
hold  of  the  Confederacy.  After  a  thorough  investigation  of 
the  proposition,  General  Grant  allowed  General  Logan  to  un 
dertake  the  scheme  in  which  he  had  so  much  confidence.  His 
command  had  led  the  van  from  Lake  Providence.  Officers 
and  men  were  anxious  to  continue  in  the  lead,  and  were  im 
patient  to  begin  the  work,  which  was  to  result  in  the  explo 
sion  of  Fort  Hill  and  the  making  of  a  breach  in  the  walls 
through  which  they  might  be  the  first  to  enter  the  city.  No 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  139 

finer  piece  of  engineering  was  ever  performed.  The  experi 
ence  of  the  veteran  volunteers  made  them  expert  miners  and 
sappers,  and  with  incredible  rapidity  they  achieved  the  pro 
digious  feat  of  undermining  and  exploding  Fort  Hill.  Gen 
eral  Logan's  old  regiment,  the  3ist  Illinois,  waited  impatiently 
to  rush  into  the  crater  for  a  hand-to-hand  engagement  with 
the  brave  men  who  had  gallantly  defended  their  breastworks. 
The  conflict  was  of  short  duration,  but  many  heroic  men  fell 
in  this  last  sally  of  the  Union  army  upon  the  breastworks  sur 
rounding  Vicksburg.  With  General  Logan  leading  the  van, 
they  marched  into  Vicksburg  on  the  morning  of  the  4th  of 
of  July,  1863.  All  parts  of  the  besieging  line  had  been  un 
flinchingly  sustained,  and  no  braver  troops  ever  encompassed  a 
fortified  city  than  the  dauntless  Union  soldiers  who  besieged 
and  captured  Vicksburg.  General  Logan  and  his  command 
had  been  in  the  front  from  the  beginning  of  the  expedition; 
they  had  furnished  the  blockade-runners,  the  assaulting  party 
on  May  22,  and  they  made  the  break  in  the  fortifications  by 
blowing  up  Fort  Hill;  consequently,  General  Grant  felt  it  their 
due  to  be  the  first  to  occupy  the  captured  city. 

With  the  fall  of  Vicksburg  the  Mississippi  River  was  open 
to  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  and  from  that  hour  the  fate  of  the 
Confederacy  was  sealed. 

The  booming  of  the  cannon  announced  the  glorious  vic 
tory  on  Independence  Day,  and  the  deafening  shouts  of  the 
triumphant  Union  army  were  the  death-knells  of  secession. 
General  Logan  was  appointed  commander  of  the  post  at 
Vicksburg,  and  immediately  began  the  adjustment  of  affairs 
between  the  conquered  and  conquerors,  desiring  in  every  way 
in  his  power,  consistent  with  fidelity  to  his  country,  to  amelio 
rate  the  condition  of  the  unfortunate  people  who  had  lived 
inside  the  walls  of  the  besieged  city.  Many  had  lived  in  caves 
during  the  siege,  their  homes  being  uninhabitable  because 
they  were  within  the  range  of  the  guns  of  the  Union  army. 
They  had  been  reduced  to  the  last  extremity,  and  had  lived 


140  REMINISCENCES  OF 

on  food  never  before  eaten  by  Americans.  He  listened  to  their 
woes,  ordered  relief  for  thousands,  and  was  so  magnanimous 
in  his  administration  as  to  win  their  admiration  and  gratitude. 

As  I  stood  in  the  crater  of  Fort  Hill,  from  which  point  I 
could  see  Grant's,  Sherman's,  and  Logan's  headquarters,  and 
looked  across  the  chasms  made  by  nature  between  the  ridges 
which  were  occupied  by  the  contending  armies  at  Vicksburg, 
I  marvelled  more  than  ever  at  the  military  genius  of  our  great 
commanders,  and  the  fearless  intrepidity  of  the  Union  troops, 
who  captured  that  seemingly  impregnable  city,  justly  called 
the  Gibraltar  of  the  Mississippi,  fortified  by  nature  and  by 
the  most  skilful  engineering  of  any  age,  and  defended  by  the 
bravest  of  the  brave. 

It  is  a  source  of  infinite  gratification  that  the  great  State  of 
Illinois  has  built  a  Temple  of  Fame  in  the  National  Cemetery 
at  Vicksburg,  in  the  crater  of  Fort  Hill,  at  a  cost  of  a  quarter 
of  a  million  dollars,  for  the  preservation  of  the  names  and  fame 
of  the  officers  and  men  of  the  seventy-five  regiments  who 
were  engaged  in  that  matchless  siege  and  victory. 

The  siege  had  lasted  without  cessation  from  early  in  May 
until  July  4,  1863.  Officers  and  men  were  well-nigh  ex 
hausted  by  the  intense  heat,  burning  sun,  hot  rains,  and  the 
long  strain  of  the  constant  vigilance  and  the  heavy  burdens 
they  had  borne.  It  was  deemed  advisable  to  furlough  as 
many  as  possible  both  of  officers  and  men.  Hastening  to 
their  homes  in  the  North  and  West,  they  found  the  welcome 
due  returning  soldiers  who  have  been  valiant  in  their  coun 
try's  services.  Their  presence  among  the  people  soon  dis 
sipated  the  sentimental  sympathies  with  the  South  which 
had  been  aroused  over  the  Emancipation  Proclamation.  The 
descriptions  the  returning  officers  and  soldiers  gave  of  the 
dangers  through  which  they  had  passed,  the  hardships  they 
had  endured,  the  sufferings  they  had  experienced,  the  sacri 
fices  they  had  made  and  witnessed  as  they  saw  their  comrades 
fall  on  many  bloody  fields,  not  knowing  what  might  be  their 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  141 

own  fate  ere  the  conflict  ceased,  caused  a  renewed  spirit  of 
patriotism  to  spread  rapidly.  When,  therefore,  at  the  expira 
tion  of  the  leave  the  officers  and  men  had  enjoyed,  they  re 
turned  to  their  respective  commands,  they  knew  there  would 
be  no  more  lukewarm  support  of  the  army  in  the  field  by  the 
people  at  home. 

General  Logan  was  wanted  to  help  win  victories  for  the 
party  in  the  local  elections,  which  were  in  great  doubt  because 
of  the  effect  of  the  issuance  of  the  Emancipation  Proclama 
tion.  As  soon,  therefore,  as  General  Logan  could  get  in  shape 
the  complex  affairs  existing  after  the  bitter  contest  for  pos 
session  of  the  Gibraltar  of  the  Mississippi,  he  caused  the  ap 
pointment,  of  General  John  Maltby,  of  the  45th  Illinois  In 
fantry  Regiment  from  Galena,  Illinois,  as  commander  of  the 
post  at  Vicksburg.  As  the  city  was  under  martial  law,  Gen 
eral  Maltby  would  have  the  assistance  of  a  competent  pro 
vost  marshal,  and,  being  himself  a  brave  and  discreet  man, 
General  Logan  felt  that  the  people  would  soon  be  glad  that 
they  were  once  more  under  the  protection  of  the  Stars  and 
Stripes.  With  his  staff  General  Logan  embarked  upon  the 
Mississippi  River  steamboat,  and  after  a  tedious  journey 
reached  home  for  a  brief  leave  of  absence.  Southern  Illinois 
having  furnished  a  large  quota  of  the  troops  which  had  been 
in  every  engagement  from  Forts  Henry  and  Donelson  to  the 
surrender  of  Vicksburg,  a  great  many  of  them  had  been  fur- 
loughed  and  had  arrived  at  their  homes  before  General  Logan. 
The  whole  population  had  been  fired  with  the  wildest  patriotic 
enthusiasm  by  their  graphic  description  of  their  experiences 
on  the  march,  in  camp,  in  hospital,  and  in  battle  from  the 
time  they  left  Cairo,  February,  1862,  till  Vicksburg  fell,  July 
4,  1863;  consequently,  by  the  time  General  Logan  landed  at 
Cairo  his  heroism,  magnanimity,  kindness  to  his  men,  and  his 
military  genius  had  been  so  often  told  by  his  faithful  followers 
that  he  found  multitudes  waiting  to  do  him  honor.  The  citi 
zens  had  told  the  soldiers  of  the  reign  of  terror  which  the 


142  REMINISCENCES  OF 

Knights  of  the  Golden  Circle  had  exercised  over  the  non-com 
batants  who  had  been  left  at  home.  The  soldiers  insisted 
upon  guarding  General  Logan  wherever  he  went,  following 
him  in  citizens'  clothing,  in  much  the  same  way  as  the  Pres 
ident  is  guarded  from  assassination  in  these  days.  The  wel 
come  accorded  General  Logan  was  so  spontaneous  and  flat 
tering  that  he  scouted  the  idea  of  any  one  doing  him  harm; 
all  the  same  the  soldiers  continued  their  self-appointed  guard 
ianship,  relieving  each  other  from  time  to  time  as  their  leaves 
expired  and  they  had  to  return  to  their  respective  commands. 

The  local  elections  grew  more  exciting  as  the  campaign 
proceeded.  General  Logan  spoke  almost  daily  to  vast  as 
semblages.  The  themes  he  dwelt  most  upon  were  the  Eman 
cipation  Proclamation  and  its  necessity,  and  the  guarantee  of 
final  triumph  of  the  Government  through  victories  the  Union 
army,  especially  the  Western  army,  had  achieved.  At  heart 
loyal  to  their  country,  they  were  easily  won  away  from  their 
temporary  disaffection. 

Colonel  R.  P.  Townes,  Major  Hotaling,  Major  Lloyd 
Wheaton,  Major  Hoover,  and  other  members  of  my  hus 
band's  staff  were  with  us  in  our  home  in  Carbondale,  Jack 
son  County,  Illinois,  almost  all  the  time  during  General 
Logan's  leave  of  absence.  Dinners,  excursions,  picnics, 
balls,  parties  of  all  kinds,  to  which  were  added  political 
demonstrations,  kept  all  of  us  busy.  Carbondale  had  an  un 
usual  number  of  pretty  girls  and  the  very  best  society  south 
of  Springfield,  the  capital  of  the  State.  They  were  all  very 
patriotic,  and  had  devoted  much  time  to  the  soldiers, 
their  families,  and  the  refugees.  From  nearly  every  fam 
ily  some  one  had  gone  into  the  army  or  navy;  hence  they 
could  not  do  enough  for  the  soldiers  and  officers  to  make 
their  brief  visit  delightful,  and  were  ever  ready  to  join  in  any 
thing  proposed  for  their  entertainment  and  diversion.  A 
round  of  pleasure  was  inaugurated  and  kept  up  till  the  very 
last  moment  of  the  stay  of  General  Logan  and  his  staff. 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  143 

When  the  time  came  for  their  departure  it  was  noticed  that 
one  or  two  of  the  young  ladies  wore  engagement  rings  on  the 
third  ringer  of  the  left  hand,  and  that  the  gallant  officers  said 
good-by  to  the  girls  they  were  leaving  behind  them  with  tears 
in  their  eyes  and  very  sad  faces.  Their  fiancees  came  often 
to  me  afterward  to  be  comforted  while  waiting  for  the  "  cruel 
war"  to  be  over. 

The  double  stars  of  a  major-general,  which  General  Logan 
had  won  by  his  distinguished  service  and  desperate  daring 
in  the  Vicksburg  campaign,  would,  I  knew,  require  his  trans 
fer  to  the  command  of  a  corps,  and,  knowing  that  an  expedi 
tion  against  Chickamauga  was  being  organized,  General  Logan 
was  impatient  for  his  orders.  They  came,  all  too  soon  for  me, 
assigning  him  to  the  Fifteenth  Army  Corps,  Army  of  the 
Tennessee,  then  under  General  J.  B.  McPherson.  General 
Logan  was  delighted  to  serve  under  McPherson  but  sorry  to 
leave  the  veterans  of  the  Seventeenth  Corps,  especially  his 
old  regiment,  to  whose  valor  he  felt  he  owed  his  promotion. 
General  Frank  Blair  was  given  the  Seventeenth  Corps,  in 
which  were  almost  all  the  regiments  that  had  composed  the 
brigade  and  division  which  General  Logan  had  commanded 
after  his  promotion  to  a  brigadier-generalship;  but  as  the 
Fifteenth  and  Seventeenth  were  both  to  be  in  the  Army  of 
the  Tennessee,  he  felt  he  should  be  near  them.  General 
Logan  always  regretted  that  he  could  not  have  reached  Chick 
amauga  in  time  to  have  had  a  greater  share  in  the  battle 
among  the  clouds  of  Lookout  Mountain.  Another  anxiety 
was  his  knowledge  of  the  fact  that  an  undercurrent  of  disloy 
alty  still  existed  among  the  people  on  account  of  their  South 
ern  proclivities. 

The  few  days  intervening  between  the  receipt  of  his  orders 
and  his  proceeding  to  Chattanooga  to  assume  command  of  the 
Fifteenth  Army  Corps  General  Logan  spent  in  making  speeches 
for  the  local  candidates  of  the  Republican  party  and  in  final 
appeals  to  the  people  to  defend  the  Emancipation  Proclama- 


144  REMINISCENCES  OF 

tion  which  Mr.  Lincoln  had  issued  in  the  name  of  humanity 
and  freedom  for  all  men.  Many  times  when  he  was  speaking 
he  would  be  interrupted  by  bullies  who  were  foolish  enough 
to  imagine  they  could  neutralize  his  influence  over  the  masses 
by  asking  questions,  uttering  insults,  and  indulging  in  brag 
gadocio.  These  disturbers  of  the  peace  were  always  worsted 
by  General  Logan's  replies.  On  one  occasion  he  threw  the 
glass  tumbler  on  the  stand  before  him  squarely  into  the  face 
of  a  bully  whose  insults  he  would  not  brook.  The  coward 
had  to  retreat  to  a  near-by  drug-store  and  submit  to  a  sur 
geon's  skill  to  save  his  face  from  disfigurement.  It  silenced  all 
others,  and  enabled  General  Logan  to  do  valuable  service  for 
his  party  as  well  as  his  country  before  leaving  home  to  re 
turn  to  duty  in  the  field. 

The  continued  disaffection  of  the  troops  on  the  question 
of  the  Emancipation  Proclamation,  through  the  influence  of 
sympathizers  with  the  South,  and  the  great  number  of  de 
sertions,  assumed  a  most  serious  aspect.  In  every  commu 
nity  these  deserters  were  hiding  and  adding  to  the  feverish 
excitement  of  the  public  mind.  The  recreant  soldiers  found 
that  by  their  act  of  desertion  they  were  delighting  the  disloyal 
and  rapidly  undoing  what  they  had  done  for  the  Union  cause; 
also,  that  they  themselves  were  in  great  trouble,  as  they  were 
liable  to  suffer  the  consequences  of  the  violation  of  the  articles 
of  war,  so  severe  upon  deserters. 

Something  had  to  be  done  to  secure  their  return  to  duty 
and  at  the  same  time  avoid  the  expense  of  long  trials  and  loss 
to  the  service  of  the  men  should  they  be  condemned  to  penal 
servitude  in  the  military  prisons.  Hence  the  ablest  men  in 
the  country  appealed  to  Mr.  Lincoln  to  issue  another  procla 
mation  pardoning  all  deserters  who  would  return  to  duty  on 
or  before  a  given  date. 

As  can  readily  be  imagined,  the  regiments  and  companies 
were  speedily  reinforced  by  great  numbers  who  were  glad  to 
escape  the  consequences  of  their  rash  act  in  impulsively  yield- 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  145 

ing  to  their  sympathy  with  Southern  institutions  born  of  prej 
udice  and  association.  Victories  along  the  lines  heightened 
the  prospects  everywhere  till  the  proposition  to  enlist  negroes 
as  soldiers  was  mooted.  Again  the  ever-present  prejudice 
against  the  negro  which  existed  in  the  West  and  Southwest 
was  rife,  and  mutterings  were  heard  in  every  direction,  sol 
diers  swearing  they  would  not  serve  with  " niggers." 

Some  officers  exhibited  a  spirit  of  insubordination,  and  but 
for  the  fact  that  the  army  was  constantly  on  the  move  it 
would  have  suffered  another  shock  of  disaffection  from  polit 
ical  influence.  In  southern  Illinois  the  situation  was  espe 
cially  critical.  As  the  majority  of  loyal,  able-bodied  men,  old 
and  young,  were  by  this  time  in  the  army,  the  disgruntled 
sympathizers  were  left  in  full  possession  of  every  field — busi 
ness,  politics,  and  everything  else.  These  malcontents  grew 
more  and  more  bitter,  and,  while  powerless  to  do  anything 
but  annoy,  they  indulged  in  all  sorts  of  persecutions  of  fur- 
loughed  Union  soldiers  and  the  families  of  the  soldiers  who 
were  at  the  front. 

Mr.  William  Bandy,  father  of  two  or  three  Union  soldiers, 
was  taken  out,  tied  to  a  tree,  and  whipped  unmercifully  for 
his  radical  sentiments.  The  home  of  an  officer  whose  family 
lived  in  the  country  was  entered  and  the  household  effects 
broken  and  destroyed.  The  animals  of  the  Union  people 
were  butchered;  the  hamstrings  of  the  horses  were  cut  so  that 
the  poor  brutes  could  not  work  the  crops  but  had  to  be  shot. 

Family  feuds  were  increasing,  murder  was  perpetrated,  and 
all  the  horrors  of  civil  war  and  its  consequences,  added  to  the 
never-ending  solicitude  for  the  fate  of  friends  in  the  field, 
made  life  one  continuous  routine  of  anxiety  and  suspense, 
especially  for  those  in  the  West  whose  fathers,  sons,  husbands, 
and  friends  were  in  the  army. 

Lookout  Mountain  and  Atlanta,  in  the  mountain  fastness, 
were  considered  almost  impregnable,  and  the  thought  that 
the  troops  in  the  expedition  were  so  indomitable  that  they 


146  REMINISCENCES  OF 

would  all  die  in  the  attempt  or  capture  these  points  gave 
occasion  for  constant  anguish.  The  approach  of  winter  and 
the  thought  of  the  mountainous  country  through  which  the 
expedition  was  to  be  made  added  another  cause  for  deep  con 
cern.  In  addition ;  many  of  the  families  of  the  soldiers  had  to 
be  provided  for  at  home,  and  the  refugee  contrabands  were 
becoming  so  numerous  and  such  a  burden  to  the  people  of  the 
border  States  that  it  was  a  question  of  the  gravest  nature 
what  to  do  with  them.  They  were  unfitted,  physically,  to 
take  the  places  of  the  troops  in  industrial  fields.  They  had 
already  suffered  much  from  exposure.  Among  the  most  pa 
thetic  scenes  of  the  war  was  the  sight  of  the  poor,  helpless 
creatures,  black  and  white,  who  were  dumped  under  the  wood 
sheds  on  the  line  of  the  Illinois  Central  and  Ohio  and  Missis 
sippi  Railroads  with  nothing  but  a  few  clothes  and  little  bun 
dles  of  bedding  and  articles  of  household  belongings.  Sick, 
destitute,  homeless,  friendless,  and  among  strangers,  in  an  in 
hospitable  climate,  their  condition  was  unutterably  sad, 

In  company  with  noble  women,  who  worked  all  the  time 
for  charity  or  the  soldiers,  we  visited  these  people  to  try  to 
alleviate  their  sufferings,  and  were  deeply  affected  to  see 
them,  in  their  absolutely  helpless  situation,  sitting  or  lying 
on  the  ground  with  folded  hands,  perfect  pictures  of  despair. 

One  white  family  of  eight  I  remember  were,  without  excep 
tion,  the  most  cheerless  and  forlorn  we  had  ever  seen.  The 
mother  and  six  daughters  were  lying  on  the  floor  of  an  old 
freight  depot  with  nothing  but  their  scanty  clothing  to  cover 
them,  the  old  man  sitting  shivering  with  the  cold.  The  bleak 
winds  of  November  were  whistling  through  the  cracks,  and 
they  had  not  a  morsel  to  eat.  Our  aid  society  had  very  little 
money,  but  we  hoped  to  relieve  their  extreme  wants,  and 
asked  the  poor  mother  what  she  desired  most.  Imagine  our 
consternation  when,  with  bated  breath,  she  said,  in  true 
Southern  vernacular:  "A  little  terbacker,  if  you  please." 
Some  of  the  ladies  declared  we  ought  to  let  her  die,  but  char- 


General  John  A.  Logan  in  1862. 
From  a  photograph  in  the  Meserve  Collection. 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  147 

ity  prevailed,  and  she  was  given  the  much-desired  weed.  The 
doctors  attended  all  these  poor  people  faithfully,  furnishing 
medicines  for  their  prescriptions  gratuitously.  Food  and  rai 
ment  were  given  them,  and  after  being  braced  up  by  the  in 
vigorating  Northern  climate  they  went  to  work  and  made 
useful  citizens. 

The  poor  blacks  were,  if  possible,  more  pitiful  on  account 
of  their  timidity  and  extreme  destitution;  the  climate  was 
worse  on  them  than  on  the  whites,  and  they  died  as  if  suffer 
ing  from  a  contagion.  After  a  while  they  began  to  feel  that 
they  were  safe  from  their  persecutors  and  that  they  were 
free.  Many  an  old  man  sang  "Old  Shady"  with  enthusiasm: 

"  Good-by,  hard  work,  and  nebber  any  pay, 
I'm  going  up  North,  where  de  white  folks  stay, 
White  wheat  bread  and  a  dollar  a  day. 

Chorus 

"Away  den,  away,  for  I  can't  stay  any  longer, 
Hurrah,  boys,  hurrah, 
For  I  am  going  home." 

The  poor  creatures  providentially  supplied  the  places  of 
the  men  who  were  in  the  army.  In  my  own  case  I  blessed 
the  day  when  they  came  to  southern  Illinois,  because  before 
that  I  had  been,  with  the  assistance  of  my  companion  and 
friend,  Miss  Mary  E.  Tuthill,  obliged  to  play  the  part  of 
man  and  maid  of  all  work,  feeding,  currying,  and  caring  for 
the  animals  in  the  barn-yard,  harnessing  and  driving  the 
horses,  washing  the  buggies  and  carriages,  and  performing 
every  species  of  manual  labor  necessary  to  be  done,  at  the 
same  time  trying  to  help  others  more  dependent  and  timid. 
Besides  this  we  had  to  protect  ourselves  from  annoying  per 
secutions  inflicted  by  the  senseless  sympathizers  with  the 
rebellion  who  were  too  cowardly  to  go  South  and  cast  their  lot 
with  the  people  for  whom  they  professed  so  much  sympathy. 

One  day  as  Miss  Tuthill  and  I  were  driving  we  passed  a 


148  REMINISCENCES  OF 

colored  man  who  sat  under  a  tree  beside  the  road  wondering 
where  he  should  go  for  a  home,  food,  and  clothing.  Our 
"copperhead"  rulers  of  the  community  had  forbidden  negroes 
to  stop  in  that  part  of  the  country.  I  was  unable  to  secure  the 
services  of  a  man  servant,  and  was  about  as  desperate  as  poor 
"Albert"  as  he  sat  there,  an  exile  and  a  wanderer.  I  stopped 
the  horse  I  was  driving  and  asked  the  poor  fellow  what  he 
was  doing  there  and  where  he  was  going.  He  timidly  re 
plied:  "I  ain't  doin'  nuffin',  Miss,  and  God  knows  I  doesn't 
know  whar  to  go.  Bless  de  Lord,  I  would  be  glad  to  get 
sumfin'  to  do,  an'  be  'lowed  to  stay  sumwhar." 

I  told  him  that  I  wished  to  hire  a  man  to  work  for  me,  and 
if  he  would  come  with  me  I  would  build  him  a  little  house  in 
my  yard;  that  if  he  would  work  and  obey  me,  taking  care  of 
my  cattle,  horses,  and  garden,  I  would  pay  him  fifteen  dollars 
a  month  and  give  him  his  board. 

The  poor  creature  bowed  his  head  to  the  ground  almost, 
and  said:  "Bless  you,  Missus,  I  would  be  glad  to  mind  you 
and  do  anything  in  the  world  dat  you  telled  me  to,  but  I'se 
afeard  dat  the  big  white  bosses  around  here  won't  'low  me 
to  stay  here  nohow." 

I  told  him  I  would  undertake  to  protect  him  if  he  knew 
how  to  shoot.  He  should  have  a  good  gun  and  plenty  of 
ammunition  in  his  house  to  protect  himself  with  if  anybody 
should  molest  him  at  night;  that  I  was  not  afraid  of  their 
coming  on  the  place  in  the  daytime;  that  for  a  while  he  would 
have  to  sleep  in  the  barn  till  I  could  put  up  a  little  house  for 
him.  He  said:  "Well,  Miss,  I  leaves  it  all  in  your  hands  and 
hope  de  Lord  will  take  keer  of  us  bofe." 

I  directed  him  how  to  go  to  my  house  to  wait  for  me  till 
I  should  come.  When  I  reached  home  he  sat  on  the  wood 
pile  waiting  for  me,  his  face  shining  like  the  setting  sun.  He 
had  taken  a  survey  of  the  premises  and  was  highly  delighted, 
declaring  to  me  he  "nebber  expected  to  reach  de  promised 
land  so  soon."  I  ordered  him  to  carry  a  wash-tub  out  to  the 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  149 

barn  and  to  take  a  bath.  I  bought  him  a  new  suit  of  cot- 
tonade  at  a  neighboring  store,  and  when  he  presented  himself 
at  the  back  door  soon  afterward  for  food  and  orders  he  looked 
like  a  black  prince.  He  was  six  feet  tall  and  was  a  fine  speci 
men  of  his  race,  his  honest  face  beaming  with  happiness.  He 
was  more  efficient  in  the  arts  of  hostlery  and  horticulture 
than  my  friend  Miss  Mary  Tuthill — afterward  Mrs.  R.  N. 
Pearson,  wife  of  General  R.  N.  Pearson,  of  Chicago — and 
myself,  and  the  poor  dumb  brutes  and  the  garden  soon  pre 
sented  an  improved  appearance. 

Not  long  after  it  was  noised  about  that  "John  Logan's  wife 
has  hired  a  nigger  to  work  for  her,  and  he  is  on  the  place  to 
stay."  They  resolved  that  he  should  not  do  so,  and  that  "if 
she  did  not  send  him  away,  they  would  go  there,  and  send 
him  off  in  a  jiffy,  and  if  she  interfered  to  protect  him,  they 
would  thrash  her  too." 

A  member  of  the  secret  organization  known  as  the  Knights 
of  the  Golden  Circle,  who  kept  up  their  warfare  and  made  so 
much  trouble  for  every  Unionist,  had  been  raised  with  me, 
and  while  he  was  intensely  disloyal  to  his  country  he  was 
the  soul  of  honor  and  loyalty  to  his  friends.  He  knew  I  would 
try  to  protect  the  colored  man  when  they  should  attack  him, 
and  he  could  not  bear  the  thought  of  any  harm  coming  to 
me.  So  he  came  to  me,  begging  that  I  send  the  "darky" 
away,  warning  me  there  would  be  trouble  if  I  persisted  in 
keeping  him,  because  they  were  "not  going  to  let  the  country 
be  filled  up  with  niggers."  I  thought  of  the  matter  long  and 
seriously.  It  seemed  so  outrageous  that  men  in  a  free  land 
would  undertake,  by  mob  violence,  to  decide  who  should  and 
who  should  not  live  in  the  country  that  I  was  inclined  to 
test  the  question  and  see  whether  or  not  these  men,  avowed 
enemies  of  the  nation,  should  dictate  to  loyal  people  what 
they  should  or  should  not  do.  The  colored  man  had  in  no 
wise  interfered  with  any  one.  He  was  respectful  to  every 
body,  was  sober,  industrious,  and  was  entitled  to  life,  liberty, 


150  REMINISCENCES  OF 

and  the  pursuit  of  happiness  both  by  the  Declaration  of  In 
dependence  and  President  Lincoln's  proclamation. 

So  I  told  my  friend  James  Durham  that,  while  I  appreciated 
beyond  expression  his  friendship  and  warning,  I  must  be  frank 
enough  to  tell  him  I  intended  to  keep  the  man  and  protect 
him  to  the  best  of  my  ability.  It  might  be  selfishness  that 
prompted  this  decision,  because  I  did  need  Albert's  services, 
and  as  he  wanted  to  stay  I  should  certainly  keep  him;  that 
if  Durham  would  trust  me  still  further  by  telling  me  who 
was  going  to  take  part  in  the  dastardly  deed  of  maltreating 
an  inoffensive  creature  who  had  never  even  seen  them  I 
would  under  no  circumstances  betray  him,  but  that  I  would 
make  them  afraid  to  come  on  my  premises  or  to  harm  the 
negro.  After  some  hesitancy  he  told  me  the  names  of  the 
men  who  proposed  to  do  the  work  for  the  society.  He  went 
away  feeling  much  distressed  and  quite  sure  that  I  would 
have  a  serious  experience. 

I  waited  patiently  that  day  for  one  of  the  men,  whom  I 
knew  must  pass  my  house  going  into  and  out  of  the  town. 
As  soon  as  I  spied  him  coming  down  the  road  on  his  way  to 
town  I  walked  out  to  my  front  gate  and  called  to  him,  asking 
him  if  he  would  not  come  in  a  moment  as  I  desired  to  see 
him  on  a  matter  of  business.  He  was  much  embarrassed,  but 
came  in.  I  at  once  told  him  that  I  had  been  informed  by  a 
member  of  the  "Circle"  all  about  their  proposed  attack  upon 
the  colored  man  in  my  employ;  that  I  was  sorry  to  hear  he  was 
one  of  the  most  active  parties  in  the  matter;  that  I  had  a 
vivid  recollection  of  having  accommodated  him  in  many  ways 
by  loaning  him  my  horses,  farming-utensils,  wagons,  etc.; 
that  I  should  be  sorry  to  cause  his  arrest  and  imprisonment, 
but  I  had  made  up  my  mind  to  single  him  out  as  the  one 
person  whom  I  should  hold  responsible  for  the  welfare  of  the 
colored  man.  I  told  him  if  the  colored  man  was  molested  in 
any  way  I  should  cause  his  arrest,  and  I  thought  I  could 
prove  that  he  had  made  threats  of  violence,  not  only  to  the 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  151 

man,  but  to  me  personally  if  I  tried  to  protect  Albert;  that 
Miss  Tuthill,  the  colored  man,  and  myself  were  splendid  shots; 
that  we  practised  daily  the  use  of  firearms;  that  we  had  a 
sort  of  arsenal  for  our  protection;  and  that  the  slightest  intru 
sion  on  the  premises  would  be  greeted  with  a  volley  from  the 
house  and  from  the  darky's  quarters  near  by.  The  frequent 
change  of  color  in  his  face  betrayed  his  guilt  in  the  matter, 
but  of  course  he  protested  innocence  of  any  knowledge  of 
anything  of  the  kind  and  avowed  his  willingness  to  protect 
the  "nigger"  for  me.  I  assured  him  it  was  all  right  as  long 
as  he  was  willing  to  be  that  kind  of  a  hostage  for  Albert's 
safety;  that  I  should  only  have  to  ask  the  governor  for  pro 
tection  and  the  provost  marshal  would  be  ordered  to  arrest  any 
one^against  whom  I  might  make  accusation;  that  all  I  wanted 
was  for  them  to  be  law-abiding  citizens  and  attend  to  their 
own  affairs;  that  I  had  no  desire  to  inform  against  them,  but 
I  intended  to  keep  the  colored  man  and  defend  him  as  long 
as  he  behaved  and  did  the  work  I  desired  him  to  do.  The 
miserable  wretch  was  glad  when  the  interview  was  over,  and 
beat  a  hasty  retreat  after  telling  me  not  to  worry — it  would 
be  all  right. 

My  friend  reported  to  me  afterward  that  at  the  next  meet 
ing  of  the  "Circle"  the  fellow  told  them  it  would  never  do 
to  trouble  that  "nigger"  at  John  Logan's  house,  because  he 
had  found  out  that  Mrs.  Logan  had  heard  about  what  they  had 
talked  of  doing;  that  all  their  names  were  now  in  the  hands 
of  officers;  that  if  anything  was  to  happen  to  the  "nigger" 
he  was  certain  they  would  all  be  arrested  and  soldiers  would 
be  stationed  there  to  protect  Logan's  family;  therefore,  they 
had  better  let  the  "nigger  "  alone.  They  did,  and  we  kept  the 
man  long  after  General  Logan's  return  home  after  the  war, 
till  Albert  desired  to  go  South  to  hunt  up  his  family.  When 
we  paid  him  off  he  had  three  or  four  hundred  dollars  as  the 
result  of  his  labors  and  a  partnership  which  he  and  I  had 
had  in  a  little  cotton  crop  we  had  raised  together.  As  he 


iS2  REMINISCENCES  OF 

drove  away  from  the  door  on  the  town  express,  with  a  big 
trunk  full  of  clothes,  well  dressed  himself,  and  his  money  in 
his  pocket,  he  felt  as  happy  as  if  he  had  been  a  millionaire. 
I  confess  I  too  felt  glad  that  I  had  saved  at  least  one  poor 
creature  from  being  maltreated.  We  had  taught  him  to  read 
and  write  and  trained  him  to  be  a  good  and  useful  citizen, 
of  whom  we  have  often  heard  good  reports. 

General  Logan  was  delayed  so  long  in  reaching  Chattanooga 
from  Vicksburg  that  he  did  not  arrive  there  till  after  the 
battle,  greatly  to  his  disappointment,  as  he  desired  to  take 
part  in  what  he  felt  was  to  be  a  brilliant  victory. 

After  assuming  command  of  the  Fifteenth  Corps,  Army  of 
the  Tennessee,  they  were  some  time  in  moving  to  Huntsville, 
that  being  the  objective  point,  but  with  his  command  stretched 
out  about  "seventy  miles"  he  had  a  hard  time  getting  them 
thoroughly  organized  and  ready  for  the  siege  of  Atlanta. 

They  were  much  exhausted  and  almost  destitute  of  good 
shoes  and  clothing  for  the  approaching  winter,  which  proved 
to  be  a  very  cold  one.  The  supplies  were  slow  in  reaching 
them  because  of  the  meagre  transportation.  For  days  the 
troops  were  moving  slowly,  for  the  most  part  subsisting  on 
the  country.  General  Logan's  headquarters  were  for  some 
time  at  Bridgeport,  where  they  had  a  trying  experience  from 
the  inclement  weather  and  the  hardships  of  soldiering  in  the 
enemy's  country.  Finally,  they  reached  Huntsville,  Alabama, 
where  they  were  more  comfortable,  and  where  all  their  prep 
arations  for  the  Atlanta  campaign  and  siege  were  perfected. 

I  had  come  to  look  upon  the  horrors  of  war  with  something 
akin  to  terror.  During  the  sieges  of  Forts  Henry  and  Donel- 
son,  Shiloh,  Nashville,  Corinth,  and  all  the  battles  from 
Memphis  to  Vicksburg,  and  during  the  capture  of  that  strong 
hold,  so  many  brave  men  had  fallen  and  so  many  widows 
and  orphans  were  all  around  us,  constantly  appealing  to  our 
sympathies,  that  we  had  no  respite.  That  "Hope  long  de 
ferred  maketh  the  heart  sick"  was  experienced  daily.  It  took 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  153 

moral  courage  to  face  the  facts  of  the  situation,  and  I  some 
times  think  a  special  Providence  must  have  sustained  both 
the  people  and  the  soldiers  through  these  trying  times.  The 
women  of  the  country,  both  North  and  South,  bore  no  small 
part  of  the  burden  of  the  war,  and  I  have  vivid  recollections 
of  seeing  them  display  moral  courage  of  the  highest  order. 

Trained  nurses  and  undertakers  were  unknown  in  south 
ern  Illinois.  These  important  offices  were  performed  by  the 
neighbors  and  friends  with  the  loving-kindness  and  faithfulness 
that  can  not  be  purchased  at  any  price.  Though  quite  young, 
it  was  often  my  melancholy  duty  to  bear  a  part  in  these  sad 
services. 

One  dreary  November  evening,  just  as  the  sun  was  setting, 
two  ladies  and  myself  went  with  a  poor  old  stricken  grand 
father  to  bury  his  little  grandchild,  the  daughter  of  a  soldier  who 
was  away  at  the  front,  and  whose  mother  was  lying  ill.  When 
we  reached  the  cemetery  there  was  no  one  near  to  assist  him 
in  lowering  the  little  body  into  the  grave.  We  took  hold  of 
the  ropes,  two  standing  opposite  each  other  and  one  opposite 
the  old  man,  and  gently  lowered  the  coffin.  We  then  alter 
nated  in  helping  him  to  fill  the  grave  and  fashion  the  mound 
over  the  remains  of  the  soldier's  child.  Returning  with  the 
aged  grandfather,  we  found  the  poor  mother  rapidly  sinking 
into  the  same  sleep  that  had  taken  her  little  one  out  of  all 
suffering.  After  a  long  vigil  she,  too,  slept  well,  when,  chan 
ging  from  sexton  to  undertaker,  we  prepared  her  poor  body  for 
the  casket  and  remained  with  the  family  till  stronger  arms 
could  be  found  to  lay  her  beside  her  child. 

We  never  knew  a  woman  to  falter  or  to  be  found  wanting 
no  matter  how  trying  a  duty  she  had  to  perform  in  the  field 
or  at  home,  where  sometimes  she  had  to  face  trials  greater 
than  those  on  a  battle-field.  North  and  South,  the  women 
of  this  great  nation  demonstrated  the  heroism  and  devotion 
to  their  loved  ones  and  to  the  ties  that  bound  them  to  their 
homes  and  families. 


CHAPTER  VII 

BATTLES  OF  RESACA  AND  DALLAS  —  GENERAL  LOGAN  WOUNDED 
AGAIN  —  KENESAW  MOUNTAIN  —  DEATH  OF  McPHERSON  - 
LOGAN  IN  COMMAND  —  WINS  THE  BATTLE  OF  ATLANTA  — 
PASSED  OVER  BY  SHERMAN  FOR  CONTINUANCE  IN  COMMAND  OF 
ARMY  OF  THE  TENNESSEE  —  GENERAL  HOWARD  SUCCEEDS  — 
SUBSEQUENT  RECONCILIATION  OF  SHERMAN  AND  LOGAN  —  THE 
CORKHILL  BANQUET  —  POLITICAL  CAMPAIGN  OF  1864  —  LOGAN 
TAKES  THE  STUMP  AT  LINCOLN'S  REQUEST  —  HIS  POWERFUL 
INFLUENCE  —  RE-ELECTION  OF  LINCOLN  —  ORDERED  TO  RE 
PORT  TO  GRANT  AT  CITY  POINT 

APPRECIATING  as  I  did  the  prodigious  undertakings  that 
were  planned  for  Sherman's  army,  I  spent  many  midnight 
hours  in  sleepless  anxiety.  During  the  day  we  had  plenty  to 
do  to  help  care  for  the  families  of  the  refugees  and  soldiers, 
who  were  subject  to  all  the  ills  to  which  human  flesh  is  heir. 
Playing  nurse,  comforter,  providing  ways  and  means,  and 
soliciting  and  dispensing  relief  kept  my  friends  and  myself 
very  busy.  Meanwhile  we  watched  and  waited  impatiently 
for  the  meagre  tidings  that  came  irregularly  from  the  advan 
cing  army. 

All  the  winter  of  1863  and  the  spring  of  1864  Sherman  was 
preparing  for  the  campaign  and  siege  of  Atlanta.  His  old 
friend  and  associate,  Johnston,  was  in  command  of  the  forces 
in  and  about  Atlanta.  Sherman  had  the  most  exalted  opin 
ion  of  Johnston's  military  abilities  and  courage;  he  was, 
therefore,  very  careful  that  every  precaution  should  be  ob 
served. 

The  almost  impregnable  mountain  barriers  encircling  the 
well-fortified  city  of  Atlanta  added  much  to  the  advantage  of 
the  enemy.  With  an  army  of  less  courage  and  experience, 

154 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  155 

Sherman  would  have  had  reason  for  solicitude.  Vicksburg, 
Lookout  Mountain,  and  Chattanooga  were  ours.  General 
Grant  and  the  Army  of  the  East  had  scored  many  victories; 
the  enemy  were  dispirited  and  rapidly  reaching  the  point  of 
desperation;  therefore,  the  Union  troops  had  reason  to  expect 
intrepid  resistance  to  their  advance.  This,  however,  in  no 
wise  deterred  them,  and  they  were  only  impatient  for  active 
operations,  growing  quite  restive  under  the  delays  incident 
to  the  mobilization  of  such  an  army. 

May  i,  1864,  they  started  breaking  up  the  headquarters  at 
Huntsville,  Alabama,  from  which  date  until  the  ist  of  Sep 
tember  they  were  constantly  on  the  move,  righting  their  way 
over  almost  every  foot  of  territory  to  the  frowning  breast 
works  surrounding  Atlanta. 

At  Resaca  they  first  drove  the  enemy  from  their  works  and 
pursued  them  in  their  retreat  to  Adairsville.  General  Logan 
desired  to  follow  up  this  victory  and  capture  the  flower  of 
Johnston's  army,  but  was  not  permitted  to  do  so.  Subse 
quently  it  was  proved  that  General  Logan  was  correct  in  his 
military  judgment,  and  that  his  proposition  could  have  been 
successfully  executed.  From  Adairsville  the  Union  forces 
marched  to  Kingston  and  Dallas,  where,  in  a  severe  engage 
ment  against  Hardee's  veteran  corps,  General  Logan  was 
shot  through  the  arm  about  half-way  between  the  elbow  and 
the  shoulder.  They  seemed  determined  to  deprive  him  of 
his  left  arm,  as  he  had  been  shot  through  that  arm  at  the 
point  of  the  shoulder  at  Fort  Donelson.  He  paid  little  at 
tention  to  the  wound  received  at  Dallas,  feeling  that  there 
was  no  time  to  be  off  duty  for  a  single  hour.  General  Logan 
always  claimed  that  Dallas,  for  the  length  of  time  and  num 
ber  of  troops  engaged,  was  one  of  the  most  hotly  contested 
battles  of  the  war.  The  attack  of  the  Fifteenth  Corps  on 
Kenesaw  Mountain,  up  its  perpendicular  sides,  was  one  of 
the  most  daring  and  tragic  in  history.  It  was  made  in  obedi 
ence  to  orders  against  the  advice  of  General  Logan,  who  con- 


156  REMINISCENCES  OF 

sidered  the  impossible  feat  little  short  of  madness,  an  opinion 
in  which  General  McPherson  coincided,  but  both  were  sub 
ordinate  to  the  general  commanding  the  movements  around 
Atlanta. 

Yet  the  gallant  leader  of  the  Fifteenth  Corps  never  hesi 
tated  to  obey  an  order,  even  though  it  would  lead  to  dire 
disaster.  His  brave  followers  tried  to  go  wherever  he  led; 
so,  at  eight  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  June  27,  1864,  they 
went  bravely  forward  over  two  lines  of  works,  driving  the 
enemy  still  higher  on  the  precipitous  sides  of  the  mountain, 
to  be  mowed  down  like  grass  by  the  enemy  intrenched  above. 
Huge  stones,  a  torrent  of  iron  hail,  and  canister  were  hurled 
down  upon  them  like  the  avalanches  of  the  Rocky  Mountains. 
To  proceed  further  or  remain  where  they  were  was  impossible. 
Besides  the  hundreds  of  dauntless  men,  such  grand  heroes  as 
Generals  Harker  and  McCook  were  killed.  Finally,  the  ad 
vice  of  General  Logan  to  flank  the  position  was  adopted,  but 
not  until  the  scaling  experiment  had  cost  many  valuable  lives. 
Johnston,  seeing  that  his  rear  was  threatened  by  the  flank 
movement,  fell  back  toward  Atlanta  from  Kenesaw. 

General  Logan  commanded  the  Fifteenth  Corps,  General 
Dodge  the  Sixteenth  Corps,  General  Blair  the  Seventeenth 
Corps,  of  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee.  Between  these  officers 
and  General  McPherson  there  existed  the  most  perfect 
harmony.  General  Logan  and  General  McPherson  were 
thoroughly  impressed  with  the  fact  that  in  front  of  the 
Fifteenth  Corps  there  was  massed  a  large  force  of  the  enemy 
after  the  fighting  that  had  taken  place  around  Decatur.  Gen 
eral  Sherman  believed  the  Confederates  were  evacuating  At 
lanta,  and  were  retreating  toward  East  Point;  therefore  he 
ordered  General  McPherson  to  pursue  them  with  the  Army 
of  the  Tennessee,  and,  if  possible,  cut  off  a  portion  of  them. 

McPherson  felt  this  to  be  a  terrible  mistake,  but  he  was 
too  good  a  soldier  to  hesitate  long  over  an  order.  So,  early 
in  the  morning  of  the  22d  of  July,  he  rode  over  to  General 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  157 

Logan's  headquarters  to  confer  with  him,  and  at  the  same 
time  order  General  Logan  to  put  the  troops  in  position  to 
carry  out  General  Sherman's  orders,  "while  I  will  ride  over  to 
Sherman's  headquarters,  and  try  to  convince  him  of  his 
error,"  he  said.  General  Logan  has  often,  with  tears  in  his 
eyes,  related  the  thrilling  circumstances,  and  how  he  proceeded 
at  once  to  obey  McPherson,  feeling  that  they  were  to  be  met 
by  an  opposing  army  greatly  in  excess  of  their  commands. 

Scarcely  had  the  sound  of  the  clatter  of  McPherson's  horse's 
hoofs  died  away,  as  he  galloped  off  in  the  direction  of  Gen 
eral  Sherman's  headquarters,  when  an  orderly  came  on  a  fly 
ing  steed  to  General  Logan  to  announce  that  McPherson  had 
been  killed  by  Claiborne's  Cavalry,  which  was  rapidly  swing 
ing  around  to  the  rear  of  the  Union  army. 

Thus,  in  a  twinkling,  upon  General  Logan  was  thrust  the 
awful  responsibility  of  extricating  the  troops  from  the  direful 
position  in  which  they  were  placed — almost  cut  off,  the  enemy 
in  the  rear,  the  Union  cavalry  sent  off  to  burn  a  bridge  at 
Covington,  and  with  the  command  as  nearly  as  possible  under 
the  orders  given  by  General  Sherman  to  McPherson,  and 
carried  by  him  in  person  to  General  Logan,  as  mentioned 
above,  in  the  early  morning  of  July  22,  1864. 

The  order  read  as  follows: 

Three  miles  and  a  half  east  of  Atlanta,  Ga., 
MAJOR-GENERAL  JOHN  A.  LOGAN, 

Commanding  Fifteenth  Army  Corps. 

The  enemy  having  evacuated  their  works  in  front  of  our  lines, 
the  supposition  of  Major-General  Sherman  is  that  they  have  given 
up  Atlanta  without  entering  the  town.  You  will  take  a  route  to 
the  left  of  that  taken  by  the  enemy,  and  try  to  cut  off  a  portion  of 
them,  while  they  are  pressed  in  the  rear  and  on  the  right  by  Gen 
erals  Schofield  and  Thomas. 

Major-General  Sherman  desires  and  expects  a  vigorous  pursuit. 
Very  respectfully  your  obedient  servant, 
JAMES  B.  MCPHERSON, 

Major-General. 


158  REMINISCENCES  OF 

It  was  proved  afterward  to  have  been  wholly  impracticable. 

With  the  sounds  of  the  guns  of  the  attacking  enemy  coming 
from  every  direction,  General  Logan,  as  the  ranking  officer, 
and  with  only  the  orders  which  he  received  from  McPherson 
a  few  minutes  before  he  was  killed,  assumed  command.  Gen 
eral  Logan  rode  with  magic  swiftness  from  one  end  of  the  line 
to  the  other,  rallying  the  troops  with  the  tragic  cry  of  "Mc 
Pherson  and  revenge!"  and  appealing  to  officers  and  men  to 
do  or  die.  Hand  to  hand  was  the  order  of  the  day — victory 
wavering  from  one  side  to  the  other  from  early  morning  until 
the  day  was  far  spent.  The  irresistible  force  and  intrepid 
valor  of  the  Union  army,  led  by  a  dauntless  leader,  compelled 
the  enemy  to  fall  back.  The  day  was  ours,  and  McPherson 
was  revenged,  solely  through  General  Logan's  matchless  gen 
ius,  indomitable  courage,  and  leadership  of  men — men  who 
would  have  followed  him  to  the  jaws  of  death.  He  fought 
the  battle  without  orders,  winning  a  victory  when  the  tide  of 
battle  was  almost  overwhelmingly  against  him. 

I  can  not  resist  quoting,  from  General  Logan's  address  on 
the  occasion  of  the  unveiling  of  McPherson's  monument  in 
McPherson  Square  in  Washington  in  1876,  his  graphic  de 
scription  of  McPherson's  death: 

The  news  of  his  death  spread  with  lightning-speed  along  the  lines, 
sending  a  pang  of  deepest  sorrow  to  every  heart  as  it  reached  the 
ear;  but,  especially  terrible  was  the  effect  on  the  Army  of  the 
Tennessee.  It  seemed  as  though  a  burning,  fiery  dart  had  pierced 
each  breast,  tearing  asunder  the  flood-gates  of  grief,  but,  at  the 
same  time,  heaving  to  their  very  depths  the  fountains  of  revenge. 
The  clenched  hands  seemed  to  sink  into  the  weapons  they  held, 
and  from  the  eyes  gleamed  forth  flashes  terrible  as  lightning.  The 
cry  "McPherson,  McPherson!"  and  "McPherson  and  revenge!" 
rose  above  the  din  of  battle,  and,  as  it  rang  along  the  lines,  swelled 
in  power,  until  the  roll  of  musketry  and  booming  of  cannon  seemed 
drowned  by  its  echoes. 

McPherson  again  seemed  to  lead  his  troops — and  where  Mc 
Pherson  leads  victory  is  sure.  Each  officer  and  soldier,  from  the 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  159 

succeeding  commander  to  the  lowest  private,  beheld,  as  it  were, 
the  form  of  their  bleeding  chief  leading  them  on  to  the  battle. 
"  McPherson! "  and  "  Onward  to  victory! "  were  their  only  thoughts; 
bitter,  terrible  revenge  their  only  aim. 

There  was  no  such  thought  that  day  as  stopping  short  of 
victory  or  death.  The  firm,  spontaneous  resolve  was  to  win 
the  day  or  perish  with  their  slain  leader  on  the  bloody  field. 
Fearfully  was  his  death  avenged.  His  army,  maddened  by 
his  death  and  utterly  reckless  of  life,  rushed  with  savage  de 
light  into  the  fiercest  onslaughts,  and  fearlessly  plunged  into 
the  very  jaws  of  destruction.  As  wave  after  wave  of  Hood's 
daring  troops  dashed  with  terrible  fury  upon  our  lines,  they 
were  hurled  back  with  a  fearful  shock,  breaking  their  col 
umns  into  fragments,  as  the  granite  headland  breaks  into 
foam  the  ocean  billows  that  strike  against  it.  Across  the 
narrow  line  of  works  raged  the  fierce  storm  of  battle,  the  hiss 
ing  shot  and  shell  raining  death  on  every  hand.  Seven  times 
Hood's,  Hardee's,  and  Wheeler's  commands  charged  and  were 
as  many  times  repulsed.  Once  they  broke  the  Union  lines 
and  captured  De  Grass's  battery,  and  he,  with  tears  stream 
ing  down  his  brave  cheeks,  rode  as  fast  as  his  horse  could  carry 
him  to  General  Logan,  begging  him  to  send  a  brigade  of  the 
invincible  Fifteenth  Army  Corps  to  recover  his  beloved  guns. 
Fired  by  the  gallant  De  Grass's  heroism,  General  Logan  ap 
pealed  to  the  men  who  had  never  failed  him.  Off  they  went, 
crying:  "The  guns!  the  guns!  we  will  have  them  or  die!" 
Logan  led  the  way,  the  very  incarnation  of  desperate  daring, 
and  in  a  brief  time  the  battery  was  recaptured. 

Over  dead  and  dying,  friends  and  foes,  rushed  the  swaying 
host,  the  shouts  of  rebels  confident  of  victory,  only  drowned 
by  the  cry  of  "McPherson  and  revenge!"  which  went  up 
from  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee.  Twelve  thousand  gallant 
men  bit  the  dust  ere  the  night  closed  in,  and  the  defeated 
and  baffled  enemy,  after  failing  in  repeated  and  desperate 
assaults  upon  our  lines,  was  compelled  to  give  up  the  hope- 


160  REMINISCENCES  OF 

less  contest.  Notwithstanding  the  fact  that  our  troops  had 
to  fight  front  and  rear,  victory  crowned  our  arms. 

That  night,  after  the  battle,  General  Logan  received  orders 
commanding  him  to  report  to  General  Sherman's  headquarters, 
which  he  reached  at  the  midnight  hour,  to  be  congratulated 
and  praised  without  stint  for  the  work  he  had  done  that  day. 
Continuance  of  the  command  of  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee 
was  promised  him  again  and  again,  as  he  in  detail  reported 
to  General  Sherman  the  events  of  the  battle.  No  intimation 
was  given  of  his  unfitness  for  the  command  or  of  his  lacks 
in  the  profession  of  a  soldier.  His  military  sense  was  consid 
ered  of  the  highest  order ;  if  he  was  a  soldier  from  civilian  ranks, 
he  had  never  been  defeated  in  any  engagement,  which  can  not 
be  said  of  all  the  professional  soldiers  of  the  Civil  War.  He 
felt,  as  he  returned  to  his  headquarters  that  night,  that  all 
was  propitious,  that  he  had  done  his  duty  well,  and  that 
merit  would  receive  its  just  reward.  He  was  anxious  to  ful 
fil  every  requirement  of  so  responsible  a  position,  so,  when 
orders  came  that  the  army  under  his  command  should  with 
draw  from  their  intrenchments  and  move  seven  miles  to  the 
right  under  the  cover  of  darkness,  that  the  enemy  might  not 
discover  the  movement,  General  Logan  personally  superin 
tended  the  execution  of  the  command.  He  ordered  the  wheels 
of  the  wagon-trains  and  artillery  to  be  muffled  with  hay  and 
straw,  and  was  so  explicit  in  his  directions  to  the  officers  in 
command  of  the  various  corps  and  divisions  that,  in  the  still 
ness  of  the  night  they  quietly  gathered  up  all  their  belongings, 
and  all  the  paraphernalia  of  war,  and  were  in  their  new  posi 
tion  in  the  early  morning,  an  unparalleled  piece  of  strategy, 
and  not  excelled  by  any  like  movement  by  the  greatest  war 
riors  of  any  age. 

Imagine  the  feelings  of  a  man,  weary  from  midnight  vigils, 
marching  and  personally  superintending  such  gigantic  move 
ments  as  General  Logan  had  directed  for  days  preceding, 
and  in  a  position  to  begin  another  big  battle,  to  be  con- 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  161 

fronted  with  an  order  to  surrender  the  command  to  General 
O.  O.  Howard,  not  before  conspicuously  connected  with  the 
great  Army  of  the  Tennessee  which  Logan  had  led  to  victory 
after  McPherson's  death!  The  Army  of  the  Tennessee  had 
never  known  defeat  under  him  and,  to  a  man,  they  would 
have  followed  Logan  through  blood  and  carnage  to  the  very 
abyss  of  death.  A  man  of  less  noble  mind  and  courage  would 
have  rebelled,  and  encouraged  the  just  indignation  expressed 
by  the  whole  command;  but  he,  with  his  great  heart  beating 
with  patriotism  and  soldierly  appreciation  of  the  effect  of  his 
resentment,  quietly  returned  to  his  old  corps,  and  led  the 
van  in  the  heroic  deeds  of  the  28th  of  July,  1864,  at  Ezra 
Chapel,  the  most  sanguinary  battle  of  the  whole  campaign, 
where  the  Fifteenth  Army  Corps  captured  many  prisoners, 
arms,  and  battle-flags. 

The  victory  was  so  complete  that  the  enemy  fled  from  the 
field,  leaving  their  dead  and  wounded  behind  them.  Gen 
eral  Howard,  General  Logan's  successor  in  command  of  the 
Army  of  the  Tennessee,  made  special  mention  of  the  conduct  of 
General  Logan  and  his  corps,  attributing  the  success  of  the 
day  as  much  to  General  Logan,  personally,  as  to  any  one  man. 
After  frequent  less  important  engagements  the  army  reached 
Jonesboro,  where  the  last  great  battle  before  the  evacuation 
of  Atlanta  occurred. 

General  Logan  did  not  reach  Jonesboro  until  midnight  of 
August  30.  Realizing  that  they  were  likely  to  be  assaulted 
by  the  corps  of  Hardee  and  Lee  at  any  moment,  he  ordered 
intrenchments  to  be  made  to  protect  his  lines  and  his  men 
from  needless  exposure.  This  was  done  without  orders  from 
either  of  his  superior  officers,  but  from  the  promptings  of  his 
own  military  genius  and  wisdom. 

At  three  o'clock  the  expected  assault  was  made,  but,  pro 
tected  by  their  trenches,  the  Union  forces  were  able  to  repel 
the  attacks  of  the  enemy.  The  artillery  were  so  well  posted 
that  they  could  rake  the  foe  mercilessly.  The  day  resulted 


162  REMINISCENCES  OF 

in  the  fall  of  Atlanta,  which  had  been  doomed  since  the 
bloody  battle  of  July  22. 

General  Sherman,  in  his  report  of  the  Atlanta  campaign, 
heaped  encomiums  upon  General  Logan,  and  said  no  one  could 
possibly  have  done  better  than  he  after  the  death  of  McPher- 
son,  but  admitted  that  he  had  recommended  General  O.  O. 
Howard  to  supersede  General  Logan. 

It  is  needless  to  recapitulate,  but  General  Logan's  noble 
conduct  in  the  most  trying  experience  of  his  life  is  beyond 
exaggeration.  I  need  not  dwell  upon  his  matchless  achieve 
ments  after  he  returned  to  the  command  of  the  Fifteenth 
Army  Corps,  who,  to  a  man,  would  have  died  for  him. 
Logan  never  swerved  one  iota  from  his  loyalty  to  his  com 
manders,  or  in  the  least  lessened  his  energies  or  his  heroism 
till  Atlanta  had  fallen.  After  the  battle  of  Ezra  Chapel,  on 
August  28,  1864,  which  was  won  by  the  daring  of  the  Fif 
teenth  Army  Corps  with  Logan  at  its  head,  General  0.  O. 
Howard  issued  an  order  congratulating  the  army,  and  men 
tioning  General  Logan  in  laudatory  terms.  General  Logan 
was  incapable  of  inciting  or  allowing  a  mutinous  spirit  to  pre 
vail,  but  he  was  not  able  to  prevent  the  army  from  feeling 
resentment  at  the  appointment  of  General  O.  O.  Howard. 
Had  not  General  Logan  gone  North  at  the  solicitation  of 
President  Lincoln  to  take  part  in  the  Presidential  campaign 
of  1864 — after  the  fall  of  Atlanta — and  had  not  the  army 
started  on  its  holiday  march  to  the  sea,  the  incident  might 
not  have  ended  as  it  did.  Suffice  it  to  say,  that  the  authori 
ties  at  Washington  deemed  it  expedient  to  transfer  Major- 
General  0.  0.  Howard  to  the  command  of  the  Freedman's 
Bureau,  in  Washington,  and  restore  General  Logan  to  the 
command  of  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee.  Major- General 
Logan,  therefore,  rode  at  the  head  of  that  invincible  army  at 
the  grand  review.  The  Army  of  the  Tennessee  manifested 
their  gratification  at  his  return  to  the  command  in  every 
possible  way.  General  O.  O.  Howard  was  naturally  chagrined, 


natters  jftrcntictli 

&      Of*—  A*»Y  OF  THE  CUMBERLAIfD. 


<A--7     "7<-.—   >^>-XW 


X^  2-; 


Letter  of  General  Joseph  Hooker  to  General  Logan  informing  him  of 
General  Hooker's  resignation  because  of  the  appointment  of  General 
Howard  to  the  command  of  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee. 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  163 

and  a  few  years  ago,  in  a  public  way,  tried  to  explain  that  the 
restoration  of  Major-General  Logan  to  the  command  of  the 
Army  of  the  Tennessee  was  brought  about  by  political  influ 
ence.  It  was  at  least  strange  that  this  explanation  was  not 
given  while  General  Logan  and  General  Sherman  were  living. 
Ever  since  the  war  closed,  and  the  patriotic  societies  were 
organized,  on  every  occasion  of  their  meetings,  or  rather  re 
unions,  General  Logan  was  hailed  with  enthusiasm  as  the 
great  commander  of  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee. 

It  may  not  be  inappropriate  for  me  on  this  occasion  to  say 
that  whatever  of  misunderstanding  and  estrangement  there 
may  have  existed  at  one  time  between  the  two  great  com 
manders  of  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee,  Sherman  and  Logan, 
it  was  wholly  obliterated  by  General  Logan's  tribute  to 
General  Sherman  at  a  notable  banquet  given  by  Colonel 
Corkhill  to  General  Sherman  on  his  retirement  as  general  of 
the  army,  in  which  Logan  said,  in  replying  to  the  toast  "The 
Volunteer  Soldier": 

There  were  no  questions  of  numbers  or  time,  and,  for  General 
Sherman,  I  will  say  there  was  not  a  soldier  who  bore  the  Ameri 
can  flag,  or  followed  it,  not  a  soldier  who  carried  a  musket,  or  drew 
a  sabre,  who  did  not  respect  him  as  his  commander.  There  was 
not  one,  sir,  but  would  have  drawn  his  sword  at  any  time  to  have 
preserved  his  life.  There  is  not  one  to-day,  no  matter  what  may 
have  been  said,  that  would  dim  in  the  slightest  degree  the  lustre 
of  that  bright  name,  achieved  by  ability,  by  integrity,  and  by  true 
bravery  as  an  officer.  And  in  conclusion  let  me  say  this:  While 
that  army,  when  it  was  disbanded,  was  absorbed  in  the  community 
like  rain-drops  in  the  sand,  all  citizens  in  the  twinkling  of  an  eye, 
and  back  to  their  professions  and  their  business,  there  is  not  one 
of  these  men,  scattered  as  they  are  from  ocean  to  ocean,  who  does 
not  honor  the  name  of  the  man  who  led  them  in  triumph  through 
the  enemy's  land.  Wherever  he  may  go,  wherever  he  may  be, 
whatever  may  be  his  condition  in  life,  there  is  not  one  who  would 
not  stretch  out  a  helping  hand  to  that  brave  commander  who  led 
them  to  glory.  Speaking  for  that  army,  if  I  may  be  permitted  to 
speak  for  it,  I  have  to  say:  May  the  choicest  blessings  that  God 


164  REMINISCENCES  OF 

showers  upon  the  head  of  man  go  with  him  along  down  through 
his  life,  is  the  prayer  of  every  soldier  who  served  under  Sherman. 

When  General  Logan  finished,  General  Sherman  arose, 
went  around  to  General  Logan,  put  his  arm  around  Logan's 
neck,  and  shook  his  hand  cordially,  while  the  tears  ran  down 
his  cheeks.  His  emotions  were  too  great  for  words. 

It  was  on  a  Saturday  night,  and,  notwithstanding  the  ap 
proach  of  the  wee  sma'  hours  before  the  tearful  parting  of  the 
distinguished  guests,  General  Sherman  went  home  and  wrote 
the  following  most  manly  and  feeling  letter  to  General  Logan, 
explaining  his  reasons  for  certain  actions  touching  General 
Logan  and  expressing  his  gratitude  for  General  Logan's  trib 
ute  to  him. 

WASHINGTON,  D.  C.,  Sunday,  February  u,  1883. 
GENERAL  JOHN  A.  LOGAN, 

U.  S.  Senate,  Washington,  D.  C. 
Dear  General: — 

This  is  a  rainy  Sunday,  a  good  day  to  clear  up  old  scores,  and 
I  hope  you  will  receive  what  I  propose  to  write  in  the  same  friendly 
spirit  in  which  I  offer  it. 

I  was  very  much  touched  by  the  kind  and  most  complimentary 
terms  in  which  you  spoke  of  me  personally  at  the  recent  Corkhill 
banquet,  on  the  anniversary  of  my  sixty-third  birthday,  and  have 
since  learned  that  you  still  feel  a  wish  that  I  should  somewhat 
qualify  the  language  I  used  in  my  Memoirs,  column  2,  pages  85 
and  86,  giving  the  reasons  why  General  O.  O.  Howard  was  recom 
mended  by  me  to  succeed  McPherson  in  the  command  of  the 
Army  of  the  Tennessee,  when,  by  the  ordinary  rules  of  the  service, 
the  choice  should  have  fallen  to  you.  I  confess  frankly  that  my 
ardent  wish  is  to  retire  from  the  command  of  the  army  with  the 
kind  and  respectful  feelings  of  all  men,  especially  of  those  who 
were  with  me  in  the  days  of  the  Civil  War,  which  must  give  to  me 
and  to  my  family  a  chief  claim  on  the  gratitude  of  the  people  of 
the  United  States. 

I  confess  that  I  have  tortured  and  twisted  the  words  used  on 
the  pages  referred  to,  so  as  to  contain  my  meaning  better  without 
offending  you,  but  so  far  without  success.  I  honestly  believe  that 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  165 

no  man  to-day  holds  in  higher  honor  than  myself  the  conduct  and 
action  of  John  A.  Logan,  from  that  hour  when  he  realized  that  the 
South  meant  war.  Prior  to  the  war,  all  men  had  doubts,  but  the 
moment  Fort  Sumter  was  fired  on  from  batteries  in  Charleston, 
these  doubts  dissipated  as  a  fog,  and  from  the  hour  thenceforth 
your  course  was  manly,  patriotic,  sublime.  Throughout  the  war, 
I  know  of  no  single  man's  career  more  complete  than  yours. 

Now,  as  to  the  specific  matter  of  this  letter.  I  left  Vicksburg 
in  the  fall  of  1863,  by  order  of  General  Grant  in  person,  with  three 
divisions  of  my  own  corps  (i5th)  and  one  of  McPherson's  (i6th) 
to  hasten  to  the  assistance  of  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland  (Gen 
eral  Rosecrans  commanding)  which,  according  to  the  then  belief, 
had  been  worsted  at  Chickamauga.  Blair  was  with  us,  you  were 
not.  We  marched  through  mud  and  water  four  hundred  miles 
from  Memphis,  and  you  joined  me  on  the  march,  with  an  order 
to  succeed  me  in  command  of  the  Fifteenth  Corps,  a  Presidential 
appointment  which  Blair  had  exercised  temporarily.  Blair  was  at 
that  time  a  member  of  Congress,  and  was  afterward  named  to 
command  the  iyth  Corps,  and  actually  remained  so  long  in  Wash 
ington  that  we  had  got  to  Big  Shanty  before  he  overtook  us.  Again, 
after  the  battles  of  Missionary  Ridge  and  Knoxville,  when  Howard 
served  with  me,  I  went  back  to  Vicksburg  and  Meridian,  leaving 
you  in  command  of  the  Fifteenth  Corps  along  the  railroad  from 
Stevenson  to  Decatur.  I  was  gone  three  months,  and,  when  I  got 
back,  you  complained  to  me  bitterly  against  George  H.  Thomas, 
that  he  claimed  for  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland  everything,  and 
almost  denied  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee  any  use  of  the  railroads. 
I  sustained  you,  and  put  all  army  and  corps  commanders  on  an 
equal  footing,  making  their  orders  and  requisitions  of  equal  force 
on  the  depot  officers  and  railroad  officials  in  Nashville.  Thomas 
was  extremely  sensitive  on  that  point,  and,  as  you  well  know,  had 
much  feeling  against  you  personally,  which  he  did  not  conceal. 
You  also  went  to  Illinois  more  than  once  to  make  speeches,  and 
were  so  absent  after  the  capture  of  Atlanta,  at  the  time  we  started 
for  Savannah,  and  did  not  join  us  until  we  had  reached  Savannah. 

Now,  I  have  never  questioned  the  right  or  propriety  of  you  and 
Blair  holding  fast  to  your  constituents  by  the  usual  methods;  it 
was  natural  and  right,  but  it  did  trouble  me  to  have  my  corps 
commanders  serving  two  distinct  causes,  one  military  and  the  other 
civil  or  political;  and  this  did  influence  me  when  I  was  forced  to 
make  choice  of  an  army  commander  to  succeed  McPherson.  This 


166  REMINISCENCES   OF 

is  all  I  record  in  my  Memoirs.  It  was  so,  and  I  can  not  amend  them. 
Never  in  speech,  writing,  or  record,  surely  not  in  the  Memoirs, 
do  I  recall  applying  to  you  and  Blair,  for  I  always  speak  of  you 
together,  the  term  of  "political  general."  If  there  be  such  an  ex 
pression,  I  can  not  find  it  now,  nor  can  I  recall  its  use.  The  only 
place  wherein  the  word  " politics"  occurs  is  in  the  pages  which 
I  have  referred  to,  and  wherein  I  explain  my  own  motive  and 
reason  for  nominating  Howard  over  you  and  Blair  for  the  vacant 
post. 

My  reason  may  have  been  bad,  nevertheless  it  was  the  reason 
which  decided  me  then  and,  as  a  man  of  honor,  I  was  bound  to 
record  it.  At  this  time,  1883,  Thomas  being  dead,  I  can  not  say 
more  than  is  in  the  text,  viz.:  that  he  took  strong  ground  against 
you,  and  I  was  naturally  strongly  influenced  by  his  outspoken 
opinion.  Still,  I  will  not  throw  off  on  him,  but  will  state  to  you 
frankly  that  I  then  believed  that  the  advice  I  gave  Mr,  Lincoln 
was  the  best  practicable.  General  Howard  had  been  with  me  up 
to  Knoxville,  and  had  displayed  a  zeal  and  ability  which  then 
elicited  my  hearty  approbation,  and,  as  I  trusted  in  a  measure  to 
skilful  manoeuvres  rather  than  to  downright  hard  fighting,  I  rec 
ommended  him.  My  Memoirs  were  designed  to  give  the  impres 
sions  of  the  hour,  and  not  to  pass  judgment  on  the  qualities  as 
exemplified  in  after  life. 

If  you  will  point  out  to  me  a  page  or  line  where  I  can  better 
portray  your  fighting  qualities,  your  personal  courage,  and  magnif 
icent  example  in  actual  combat,  I  will  be  most  happy  to  add  to  or 
correct  the  Memoirs,  but  when  I  attempt  to  explain  my  own  mo 
tives  or  reasons,  you  surely  will  be  the  first  man  to  see  that  outside 
influence  will  fail. 

My  course  is  run,  and  for  better  or  worse  I  can  not  amend  it, 
but  if  ever  in  your  future  you  want  a  witness  to  your  intense  zeal 
and  patriotism,  your  heroic  personal  qualities,  you  may  safely  call 
on  me  as  long  as  I  live.  I  surely  have  watched  with  pride  and 
interest  your  career  in  the  United  States  Senate,  and  will  be  your 
advocate  if  you  aim  at  higher  honors.  I  assert  with  emphasis 
that  I  never  styled  you  or  Blair  "political  generals"  and  if  I  used 
the  word  "politics"  in  an  offensive  sense,  it  was  to  explain  my 
own  motives  for  action  and  not  as  descriptive. 

Wishing  you  all  honor  and  happiness  on  this  earth,  I  am,  as 
always,  your  friend, 

W.  T.  SHERMAN. 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  167 

This  letter  General  Logan  acknowledged  promptly,  respond 
ing  cordially  to  the  sentiments  of  regard  expressed  by  his  be 
loved  commander. 

UNITED  STATES  SENATE, 
WASHINGTON,  D.  C., 
Sunday,  Feb.  18,  1883. 

GENERAL  W.  T.  SHERMAN, 
My  dear  Sir: — 

I  have  delayed  acknowledging  your  letter  of  the  nth  inst.  up  to 
this  time  for  the  reason  that  I  have  been  so  much  engaged  every 
moment  of  the  time  that  I  could  not  sooner  do  so;  for  your  expres 
sion  of  kindly  feelings  toward  me  I  tender  my  grateful  acknowl 
edgments. 

I  am  inclined,  however,  my  dear  general,  to  the  opinion  that, 
had  you  fully  understood  the  situation  in  which  I  was  placed  at 
the  times  mentioned  by  you,  that  I  returned  North  from  the  army 
for  the  purpose  of  taking  part  in  the  political  contests  then  going 
on,  that  perhaps  your  criticisms  on  my  (then)  course  would  not 
have  been  made.  I  did  not  do  it  for  the  purpose  of  "  keeping  a 
hold  on  my  people."  I  refused  a  nomination  in  my  own  State  for 
a  very  high  position  for  the  reason  that  I  would  not  have  anything 
to  do  with  parties  while  the  war  should  last.  In  1863,  when  I 
went  home  to  canvass  in  Illinois,  and  to  help  in  Ohio,  General  Grant 
was  fully  advised,  and  knows  that  although  I  had  to  make  appli 
cation  for  leave  of  absence,  I  did  not  do  it  of  my  own  volition,  but 
at  the  request  of  those  high  in  authority.  So,  when  I  left  on  leave 
after  the  Atlanta  campaign,  to  canvass  for  Mr.  Lincoln,  I  did  it  at 
the  special  and  private  request  of  the  then  President.  This  I 
kept  to  myself,  and  have  never  made  it  public,  nor  do  I  propose 
to  do  so  now,  but  feel  that  I  may  in  confidence  say  this  to  you, 
that  you  may  see  what  prompted  my  action  in  the  premises.  I 
have  borne  for  this  reason  whatever  I  may  have  suffered  by  way 
of  criticism,  rather  than  turn  criticism  on  the  dead. 

So  far  as  General  Thomas  having  feeling  in  the  matter  you  men 
tion,  I  presume  he  entertained  the  same  feeling  that  seemed  to  be 
general,  that  no  one  without  a  military  education  was  to  be  trusted 
to  command  an  army;  this,  I  think,  was  the  feeling  then,  is  now, 
and  will  ever  be.  I  find  no  fault  with  it ;  this  as  a  rule  is  probably 
correct,  but  the  experience  of  the  world  has  occasionally  found 
exceptions  to  this  rule.  I  certainly  never  gave  General  Thomas 


i68  REMINISCENCES  OF 

any  occasion  to  have  strong  feelings  against  me.  I  did  complain 
that  I  was  not  on  an  equality  with  him  while  I  commanded  be 
tween  Decatur  and  Stevenson;  that  my  passes  on  the  roads  were 
not  recognized,  and  I  have  General  Thomas's  letter  afterward, 
admitting  the  fact,  and  apologizing  to  me  for  the  conduct  of  his 
officers  in  this  matter.  I  at  all  times  co-operated  with  him  cor 
dially  and  promptly  during  my  stay  at  Huntsville  and  at  all  other 
times  subsequent.  Certainly  I  did  for  him  afterward  what  few 
men  would  have  done.  When  ordered  to  Nashville,  with  a  view 
of  superseding  him,  at  Louisville,  when  I  found  the  situation  of 
matters,  I  wrote  and  telegraphed  to  Grant  that  he,  Thomas,  was 
doing  all  he  could,  and  asked  to  be  ordered  back  to  my  own  com 
mand,  which  was  done.  This  I  say  to  show  my  kind  feeling  for 
him,  and  to  say  that  if  I  ever  did  anything  to  cause  him  to  com 
plain  of  me  I  was  not  aware  of  it. 

One  thing,  my  dear  general,  that  I  feel  conscious  of,  and  that 
is  that  no  man  ever  obeyed  your  orders  more  promptly,  and  but 
few  ever  did  you  more  faithful  service  in  carrying  out  your  plans 
and  military  movements  than  myself. 

I  may  have  done  yourself  and  myself  an  injustice  by  not  dis 
closing  to  you  the  cause  of  my  returning  to  the  North  at  the  time 
I  did,  but  you  have  my  reasons  for  it.  I  felt  in  honor  that  I  could 
rest. 

This  letter  is  intended  only  for  full  explanation,  and  for  yourself 
only.  I  do  not  feel  aggrieved  as  you  think,  but  will  ever  remain 
your  friend, 

Yours  truly, 

JOHN  A.  LOGAN. 


The  few  brief  years  that  intervened  before  General  Logan 
preceded  General  Sherman  to  that  land  of  eternal  bliss  they 
saw  much  of  each  other,  forgetting,  in  the  happy  circumstance 
of  reunited  friendship,  the  unfavorable  winds  that  had  tem 
porarily  estranged  them.  The  Corkhill  banquet  was  prob 
ably  one  of  the  most  impressive  dinners  ever  given  in  Wash 
ington,  including  the  names  of  the  most  illustrious  men  of 
that  time.  Nearly  every  one  of  that  distinguished  company 
have  joined  the  mighty  throng  in  the  great  beyond. 

The  correspondence  between  Sherman  and  himself  General 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  169 

Logan  regarded  as  confidential,  and  therefore  he  would  not 
discuss  the  matter  or  give  it  to  the  public.  Amicable  rela 
tions  having  been  restored  between  himself  and  his  revered 
commander,  to  whom  he  was  sincerely  attached,  he  was  will 
ing  the  matter  should  be  dropped,  as  it  was  impossible  for 
General  Logan,  with  his  generous  and  big-hearted  nature,  to 
long  bear  malice  or  be  indefinitely  estranged  from  any  one 
to  whom  he  had  once  been  attached. 

Prior  to  the  dinner  above  mentioned  General  Sherman 
had  at  various  times  and  in  many  ways  tried  to  explain  why 
he  was  so  inconsistent  as  to  recommend  General  0.  0.  How 
ard  to  the  authorities  at  Washington  as  successor  to  General 
McPherson  in  command  of  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee,  after 
he  had  acknowledged  that  General  Logan  had  rescued  that 
army  from  defeat  and  won  one  of  the  most  signal  victories 
of  the  war.  It  was  not  until  Sherman's  retirement,  as  ex 
plained  by  the  correspondence  between  General  Sherman  and 
General  Logan,  and  published  after  General  Logan's  death, 
that  General  Sherman  gave  to  the  public  the  true  reason  for 
the  injustice  done  General  Logan  in  returning  him  to  his 
corps,  and  in  taking  General  0.  0.  Howard  from  another 
army  and  giving  him  command  of  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee. 
It  will  be  seen  that  one  among  others  of  Sherman's  reasons 
for  this  action  was  that  General  Logan  was  a  volunteer, 
and  not  a  professional  soldier  graduated  from  West  Point, 
notwithstanding  the  fact  that  Logan's  record  showed  he  had 
never  made  a  mistake  in  handling  an  army,  though  the  same 
is  not  claimed  for  General  Sherman  and  other  West  Point 
graduates. 

In  connection  with  this  matter,  there  has  come  into  my 
possession  recently  a  copy  of  a  most  valuable  record  made 
at  the  time  by  that  dauntless,  efficient,  and  incomparable  offi 
cer,  Major-General  Granville  M.  Dodge.  General  Dodge  com 
manded  the  Sixteenth  Army  Corps  of  Sherman's  army  during 
the  eventful  Atlanta  campaign.  The  intimacy  which  grew 


170  REMINISCENCES  OF 

up  between  General  Dodge  and  General  Logan  while  they 
were  engaged  in  the  prodigious  work  which  each  performed 
in  that  campaign  continued  through  life,  and  I  deem  this 
report  so  important  that  I  can  not  resist  the  temptation 
to  insert  it  here.  It  will  be  remembered  that  General 
Dodge's  great  services  to  his  country  did  not  end  with  the 
close  of  the  war,  for  it  was  through  his  indomitable  energy 
and  great  skill  as  a  civil  engineer  that  the  Union  Pacific 
Railroad  was  completed.  He  has  been  president  of  the  So 
ciety  of  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee  since  the  death  of  Gen 
eral  Sherman.  General  Dodge's  report  reads  as  follows: 

On  July  2yth  General  0.  O.  Howard  was  assigned  to  the  command 
of  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee,  which  was  a  great  disappointment 
to  that  army.  They  felt  that  an  army  which  had  followed  Grant, 
Sherman,  McPherson,  and  Logan,  who  had  taken  it  successfully 
through  its  last  battle,  after  the  death  of  McPherson,  had  material 
enough  in  it  to  command  it.  On  the  movement  from  the  extreme 
left  to  the  right,  I  pulled  out  first  and  as  I  was  moving  to  the  rear 
of  General  Thomas's  army,  I  saw  General  Logan  sitting  on  the 
porch  of  a  log  building.  I  went  up  to  speak  to  him  and  found  that 
General  Sherman  was  inside.  After  speaking  a  few  words  to  Gen 
eral  Logan,  I  went  in  and  had  a  talk  with  General  Sherman,  in 
quiring  about  the  change  of  commanders  and  expressing  my  wish 
that  General  Logan  had  been  assigned  to  the  command.  He 
answered  me  by  saying  it  was  all  right;  that  he  would  tell  me  the 
reasons  sometime.  When  I  came  out,  General  Logan  was  still 
sitting  on  the  porch  and,  as  the  door  was  open,  I  have  no  doubt  he 
heard  what  I  had  to  say  to  General  Sherman,  for  there  were  tears 
in  his  eyes.  I  spoke  to  him  very  cordially  and  said  to  him  that  I 
was  greatly  disappointed  at  the  change,  but  hoped  it  would  end  all 
right.  He,  like  a  good  soldier,  said  it  would,  but  he  said  it  was 
pretty  hard  on  him.  Nothing  more  then  was  said  about  it.  Years 
after,  I  had  correspondence  in  relation  to  this  matter  with  General 
Sherman,  when  the  friends  of  Logan  and  myself  were  endeavoring 
to  bring  them  together.  For  a  long  time  after  the  war  General 
Logan  never  forgot  Sherman's  treatment  of  him  and  at  times  felt 
it  keenly,  but  one  day,  on  the  floor  of  the  U.  S.  Senate,  General 
Logan  made  a  speech  in  defense  of  Sherman  and  in  praise  of  him, 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  171 

which  finally  brought  them  together  and  their  old  troubles  were 
forgotten.  Some  time  after  the  war,  I  forget  the  place  but  I  think 
it  was  when  we  were  together  at  one  of  the  reunions  of  the  Army 
of  the  Tennessee,  General  Sherman  made  a  full  explanation  to  me 
of  the  matter  and  at  the  time  I  made  full  notes  of  it  in  my  diary, 
and  I  quote  here  what  he  said: 

"  Sherman  said  that  in  the  winter  of  1863,  after  the  battle  of  Mis 
sionary  Ridge  on  his  trip  to  Meridian,  he  left  Logan  in  command 
at  Huntsville  with  the  i5th  Corps,  and  Dodge  in  command  on 
line  of  railroad  from  Nashville  to  Decatur  with  the  i6th  Corps, 
both  in  General  Thomas's  Department.  On  his  return,  he  found 
Logan  much  dissatisfied  with  Thomas  and  complained  of  his 
treatment  of  him.  He  could  not  send  an  officer  or  soldier  to  Nash 
ville  until  he  got  his  orders  or  passes  approved  by  Thomas's  provost 
marshal  or  some  local  commander.  Sherman,  when  he  saw  Thomas, 
told  him  he  should  not  have  treated  Logan  in  that  way;  that  he 
was  a  corps  commander  and  was  entitled  to  better  treatment. 
Thomas  complained  of  Logan  in  several  matters  and  said  he  was 
hard  to  get  along  with  and  that  he  had  had  no  trouble  with  Dodge. 
Sherman  said  he  had  tried  to  smooth  the  matter  over,  but  he  dis 
covered  an  unfriendly  feeling  that  continued  through  the  Atlanta 
campaign. 

"  When  McPherson  fell,  on  the  22nd  of  July,  in  front  of  Atlanta, 
Logan  by  seniority  of  rank  assumed  command  by  his  direction 
and  handled  the  army  well.  After  the  battle  Thomas  came  to 
Sherman  and  they  discussed  the  question  of  a  commander  for  the 
Army  of  the  Tennessee.  Sherman  told  Thomas  that  Logan  was 
entitled  to  the  command,  was  competent  for  it  and  he  desired  to 
place  him  in  it.  Thomas  answered  with  much  feeling  that  he  was 
sorry  to  hear  him  say  so,  for,  if  Logan  was  assigned  to  the  com 
mand  of  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee,  he  should  consider  it  his  duty 
to  resign  his  command.  Sherman  answered  General  Thomas: 
'You  certainly  would  not  do  that  and  leave  me  here  in  that  con 
dition.'  Thomas  hesitated  and  finally  said:  'No,  I  don't  know 
as  I  would  go  so  far  as  that/  but  protested  that  Logan  should  not 
be  assigned  to  the  command.  Sherman  said:  'I  don't  see  how  I 
can  pass  him  by;  I  don't  want  to  do  anything  that  will  seem  to 
reflect  on  Logan.'  Thomas  answered:  'Well,  let  the  President 
or  Secretary  of  War  select  a  commander.'  Sherman  said:  'No. 
I  do  not  want  them  to  send  a  commander  here  that  is  outside  of 
this  army.'  Sherman  said:  'In  other  words  you  don't  feel  that 


172  REMINISCENCES  OF 

with  Logan  in  command  you  and  he  could  act  cordially  and  har 
moniously  together? '  Thomas  said:  '  Yes,  that's  it,  and  I  think, 
to  insure  success,  that  there  should  be  not  only  harmony  but  entire 
cordiality  between  the  army  commanders.'  Sherman's  answer 
was  that  he  could  not  afford  to  put  Logan  in  command  under  such 
circumstances. 

"  Finally  they  sat  down  and  discussed  the  merits  of  the  different 
generals  and  settled  upon  Howard.  'I  have,'  said  Sherman, 
'always  been  a  friend  to  Logan  in  a  great  many  different  ways. 
He  was  a  good  soldier.  He  handled  the  army  splendidly  on  the 
22d,  and  in  his  movement  to  the  right.  But  you  see  I  had  a  great 
responsibility  and  had  to  do  the  best  I  could  under  the  circum 
stances.  I  consider  Logan  the  representative  volunteer  general 
of  the  war.' " 

While  I  never  knew  the  exact  facts  in  the  matter,  I  know  the 
Army  of  the  Tennessee  wanted  Logan  and  was  greatly  disappointed 
when  Sherman  went  outside  of  it  for  a  commander.  The  officers 
and  men  felt  that  the  little  army  that  had  had  for  its  commanders 
Grant,  Sherman,  McPherson,  and  Logan  had  filled  every  post  of 
responsibility  to  which  it  had  been  assigned,  and  that  there  was 
material  left  in  it  to  command  it;  but  I  think  no  one  in  it  knew  of 
this  complication  and  it  is  well  they  did  not. 

Sherman  showed  himself  a  master  when  he  took  the  responsi 
bility  and  made  no  explanation,  and  thus  preserved  the  good  feel 
ing  throughout  the  great  command.  I  heard  the  news  of  the  ap 
pointment  of  Howard  in  place  of  Logan  as  we  were  marching  from 
the  left  to  right.  I  did  not  know  Howard  personally. 

While  these  events  were  occurring  at  the  front,  the  political 
excitement  was  waxing  hot  all  over  the  North,  and  the  old 
feeling  between  the  war  and  anti-war  parties  in  the  North 
was  growing  more  and  more  intense.  Many  Democrats, 
General  Logan  among  them,  had  gone  into  the  army  to  save 
the  Union.  Many  others  failed  to  see  that  the  Emancipa 
tion  Proclamation  was  the  legitimate  sequence  of  secession; 
the  disasters  in  the  East  were  seized  upon  as  an  excuse  for  de 
claring  the  war  a  failure.  McClellan,  the  first  general  of  the 
army,  was  nominated  for  the  Presidency  by  the  Democratic 
party;  many  War  Democrats  flocked  to  his  standard,  and  it 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  173 

was  supposed  that  all  of  them  would  do  so.  It  was  thought 
that  the  disaffection  thus  created  would  result  in  the  defeat 
of  Mr.  Lincoln,  and  thereby  the  transfer  of  the  Government 
and  all  its  interests  to  Democratic  hands.  For  weeks  all 
communication  with  the  army  engaged  in  the  siege  of  Atlanta 
had  been  cut  off.  The  conventions  had  been  held,  and  the 
candidates  were  regularly  in  the  field.  The  deepest  solici 
tude  was  felt  all  over  the  country  as  to  which  of  the  par 
ties  and  candidates  would  receive  the  moral  support  of  the 
army. 

Illinois,  as  the  home  of  Mr.  Lincoln,  was  watched  with 
great  anxiety.  General  Logan  had  refused  all  political  pre 
ferment  after  he  entered  the  army  in  1861.  This  election  of 
1864  was  the  first  Presidential  election  since  the  war  began, 
and  his  old-time  friends  thought  to  win  him  to  the  support 
of  McClellan.  Mr.  Lincoln  realized  that  Illinois  was  so  im 
portant  to  the  Republican  party  that  he  was  anxious  to  have 
General  Logan's  support.  Hence,  the  moment  that  General 
Sherman  decided  that  the  army  should  not  continue  the  pur 
suit  of  Hood's  army  until  they  had  rested  after  their  super 
human  labors  in  the  siege  and  capture  of  Atlanta,  and  it  was 
evident  that  there  would  be  no  movement  requiring  General 
Logan's  presence,  Mr.  Lincoln  requested  him  to  come  home 
and  take  part  in  the  civil  campaign,  which  was  fraught  with 
quite  as  much  importance  as  the  military  one  just  closed  so 
gloriously. 

After  the  army  had  entered  Atlanta  and  all  were  to  have 
a  respite,  General  Logan  came  home.  The  plaudits  of  the  peo 
ple  followed  him  everywhere,  and  I  shall  remember  as  long 
as  I  live  the  eagerness  with  which  they  surrounded  him  and 
plied  him  with  questions  as  to  his  future  political  course.  To 
all  of  them  he  said:  "Wait  till  the  arrival  of  the  date  when  I 
am  to  speak  to  you."  He  had  been  advertised  to  speak  in 
the  grove  near  Carbondale,  Illinois,  our  home  at  that  time. 
The  grove  was  a  most  beautiful  place,  a  natural  amphitheatre 


174  REMINISCENCES  OF 

shaded  by  grand  old  oak-trees,  where  outdoor  public  meetings 
were  held.  On  this  occasion,  fully  twenty  thousand  people 
assembled  there,  all  breathless  to  hear  what  General  Logan 
had  to  say.  A  large  majority  of  the  residents  of  that  section 
were  War  Democrats,  and  inclined  to  the  support  of  McClel- 
lan,  a  brother-in-law  of  mine  among  the  number.  My  rela 
tive  was  so  enthusiastic  that  he  declared  over  and  over  again, 
while  communication  was  cut  off  during  the  siege  of  Atlanta, 
that  he  knew  General  Logan,  as  a  War  Democrat,  would  es 
pouse  McClellan's  cause,  greatly  to  the  vexation  of  General 
Logan's  friends,  who  were  devoted  to  Mr.  Lincoln.  One  day, 
in  the  presence  of  a  number  of  persons,  he  became  so  san 
guine  that  he  offered  to  bet  a  fine  span  of  mules  he  owned 
against  five  hundred  dollars  that  Logan  would  support  Mc- 
Clellan.  Seeing  the  annoyance  and  unhappiness  his  state 
ment  produced  upon  the  friends,  though  not  given  to  such 
practices,  I  said:  "All  right,  Mr.  Campbell,  I  will  take  your 
bet,  since  you  are  so  confident."  A  half-dozen  hands  were 
instantly  thrust  into  plethoric  pockets,  and  the  money  was 
proffered  to  be  put  up  to  pay  if  I  lost,  and  to  be  sure  that  I 
would  have  the  mules  if  I  won. 

I  heard  nothing  from  General  Logan  for  many  weeks,  and 
knew  as  little  as  any  of  them  as  to  his  position  on  political 
questions,  except  from  intuition,  and  an  appreciation  of  the 
situation  and  his  well-known  devotion  to  his  country. 

At  last  the  day  arrived  on  which  General  Logan  was  to 
speak.  He  was  much  worn  and  looked  haggard  and  weary 
from  his  ceaseless  labors  in  the  Atlanta  campaign  which  had 
lasted  from  May  till  September.  He  was  so  sunburnt  that 
he  looked  like  an  Indian.  The  scenes  through  which  he  had 
passed  had  furrowed  his  brow,  but  the  flashing  light  of  his 
eyes  was  still  there,  and  the  return  to  home  and  his  family 
made  him  happy.  We  soon  told  him  all  that  had  transpired 
during  the  thirteen  months  since  we  had  last  seen  him;  es 
pecially  about  the  political  situation,  and  the  claims  of  both 


Letter  of  President  Lincoln  to  General  Logan  in  i! 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  175 

parties  for  his  support  and  influence.  When  told  that  I  had 
committed  him  to  the  extent  of  actually  betting  that  he  would 
not  support  McClellan  and  the  platform  upon  which  he  was 
nominated,  he  was  greatly  amused,  and  I  soon  saw  I  had  his 
approval,  ever  a  requisite  to  my  happiness.  The  incident 
had  been  telegraphed  everywhere,  and  much  comment  in 
dulged  in,  so,  when  General  Logan  mounted  the  beautifully 
decorated  stand  from  which  he  was  to  speak,  he  was  greeted 
by  wild  cheers  and  yells  from  the  vast  crowd:  "Now  he  will 
win  the  mules."  He  spoke  for  some  time,  telling  them  the 
duty  of  all  loyal  men,  of  the  cost  of  blood  and  treasure  at 
which  the  victories  of  the  Union  had  been  won,  and  closed 
with  a  glowing  appeal  for  Mr.  Lincoln's  re-election,  that  the 
war  might  speedily  be  brought  to  an  end. 

Scarcely  a  dry  eye  was  to  be  seen  among  the  thousands 
upturned  to  him,  their  idolized  leader  in  civil  as  well  as  mili 
tary  campaigns.  At  the  conclusion  they  made  a  rush  for 
my  brother-in-law's  barn,  and  soon  returned  with  the  mules 
hitched  to  a  carriage  in  which  they  insisted  upon  taking  Gen 
eral  Logan,  and  driving  him  around  the  town  to  our  home. 
For  weeks  he  travelled  over  the  country  in  a  carriage  drawn 
by  the  mules,  canvassing  the  State  in  the  interest  of  the  Re 
publican  nominees,  and  did  as  much  as  any  other  one  man 
for  the  re-election  of  Mr.  Lincoln. 

After  the  lapse  of  so  many  years,  and  through  the  veil  of 
oblivion  that  has  obscured  the  circumstances  then  existing, 
it  is  hardly  possible  to  fittingly  portray  the  importance  of 
General  Logan's  presence  in  the  campaign  for  the  re-election 
of  Mr.  Lincoln.  It  was  the  first  Presidential  election  after 
the  issuance  of  the  Emancipation  Proclamation;  our  vic 
tories  had  been  won  by  great  sacrifice.  The  platform  upon 
which  General  McClellan  was  nominated  had  declared  the 
war  a  failure,  and  was  in  favor  of  an  armistice  and  renewal 
of  fruitless  peace  negotiations,  thereby  betraying  a  want  of 
sympathy  with  the  policy  of  the  Government  on  the  part  of 


176  REMINISCENCES  OF 

the  party  nominating  him.  Had  the  Government  changed 
hands  at  this  critical  juncture,  no  one  could  have  answered 
for  the  consequences.  Mr.  Lincoln  felt  this  most  deeply. 
His  own  perpetuation  in  office  occupied  little  of  his  thoughts, 
but  the  vigorous  prosecution  of  the  war  and  the  preservation 
of  the  Union  were  of  infinite  importance;  hence  he  was  as 
anxious  for  the  success  of  his  party  in  the  civil  campaign  as 
he  was  for  the  army  in  the  field. 

General  McClellan's  acceptance  of  the  nomination  inspired 
the  Democracy  with  much  courage.  They  thought  the  element 
known  as  "War  Democrats"  in  and  out  of  the  army  would 
rally  round  their  leader.  The  most  prominent  journalists 
and  party  leaders  were  untiring  in  their  efforts.  General 
Logan  was  known  as  a  War  Democrat,  and  they  expected  he 
would  support  McClellan.  They  wrote  him  earnest  letters, 
and  appealed  to  him,  the  moment  Atlanta  had  fallen,  in  such 
communications  as  the  following,  which  was  from  one  of  the 
ablest  journalists  ever  in  Illinois,  and  a  devoted  friend  and 
mentor  of  Senator  Stephen  A.  Douglas  during  his  eventful 
life: 

OFFICE  OF  THE  CHICAGO  POST, 
93  Washington  Street, 

CHICAGO,  August  31,  1864. 
DEAR  GENERAL: — 

I  enclose  you  a  copy  of  the  platform  adopted  by  the  conven 
tion.  I  want  you,  as  a  Democrat,  to  write  a  letter  indorsing  your 
fellow  soldier,  patriot,  and  Democrat.  You  never  failed  yet  to 
meet  any  demand  that  the  Democratic  party  or  your  country  ever 
made  upon  your  talents,  or  even  your  life.  Will  you  refuse  both 
when  they  jointly  ask  your  voice  in  the  election?  In  God's  name, 
dear  Logan,  by  all  your  hopes  for  your  country  and  yourself,  let 
not  the  Democracy  ask  your  arm  and  be  refused.  You  and  I  per 
sistently  refused  to  join  any  party,  refused  to  accept  the  title  of 
"War  Democrats"  as  distinguished  from  the  old  Democratic 
party  of  our  early  love,  and,  now  that  that  party  gives  a  rational 
and  a  national  platform,  will  you  refuse  to  give  your  voice  in  be- 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  177 

half  of  our  own  soldier,  patriot,  Democrat,  and  statesman — Mo 
Clellan?  Give  us  one  of  your  characteristic  letters  indorsing  plat 
form,  nominee,  and  all,  and  from  the  very  hearts  of  the  party  will 
go  up  a  shout  of  thanks  to  you. 

Yours  truly, 

J.  W.  SHEAHAN. 


Equally  earnest  letters  were  written  from  every  quarter, 
not  only  to  General  Logan  but  to  other  officers  of  Democratic 
antecedents  at  the  front,  and  to  their  friends  at  home,  urging 
upon  them  the  importance  of  winning  the  Presidential  cam 
paign  with  " Little  Mac"  as  the  leader. 

Mr.  Lincoln's  anxiety  to  have  General  Logan  enter  the 
canvass  being  under  discussion  in  a  correspondence  years 
later  between  General  Sherman  and  General  Logan,  General 
Sherman  wrote: 

HEADQUARTERS,  ARMY  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES, 

WASHINGTON,  D.  C.,  Feb.  2oth,  1883. 
GENERAL  JOHN  A.  LOGAN, 

U.  S.  Senate. 
DEAR  GENERAL: — 

I  beg  to  acknowledge  receipt  of  your  good  letter  of  February 
1 8th,  and  recall  well  the  fact  that  about  September  2oth,  1864,  I 
received  at  Atlanta  a  telegram  from  some  one  in  authority,  I  think 
Mr.  Lincoln  himself,  to  the  effect  that  your  presence  in  Illinois 
was  important  to  the  National  cause.  You  probably  know  that 
all  my  records  were  transferred  to  Lt.  General  Sheridan  at  the 
time  he  succeeded  me  in  command  of  the  Military  Division  of  the 
Mississippi,  and  were  burned  up  in  the  great  Chicago  fire.  I  only 
retained  the  blotters  from  which  the  official  records  were  made 
up.  In  one  of  them  I  find  my  letter  to  Gen.  Howard,  command 
ing  Army  of  the  Tennessee,  East  Point: 

"I  consent  that  you  give  Gen.  Logan  a  leave.  I  have  not  yet 
heard  from  Gen.  Grant,  but  in  case  of  necessity,  we  can  in  Gen. 
Logan's  absence,  take  care  of  the  i$th  Corps.  There  seems  to  be 
a  special  reason  why  he  should  go  home  at  once." 

This  fully  confirms  what  you  write  me,  and  looking  back  from 
the  distance  of  time,  I  doubt  not  you  were  able  to  give  material 


178  REMINISCENCES  OF 

help  in  the  election  of  Mr.  Lincoln,  which  was  the  greatest  consid 
eration  of  that  day. 

With  great  respect, 

Your  friend, 

W.  T.  SHERMAN. 

Colonel  D.  L.  Phillips  was  bearer  of  Mr.  Lincoln's  note 
to  General  Logan,  expressing  his  fears,  and  desiring  Logan's 
services,  which  Mr.  Lincoln  believed  would  be  potential 
on  account  of  General  Logan's  affiliation  with  the  Dem 
ocratic  party  before  the  war.  I  regret  extremely  that  Lin 
coln's  request  to  General  Logan  was  mislaid  by  a  historian 
years  ago,  and  could  never  be  recovered.  General  Logan 
often  spoke  of  it  to  me,  and  of  the  pleasure  it  gave  him 
to  think  that  Mr.  Lincoln  had  such  implicit  faith  in  his 
power  to  influence  the  people  to  stand  firmly  at  that  vital 
period. 

As  soon  as  General  Logan's  speech  after  his  arrival  home 
from  Atlanta  was  telegraphed  over  the  country,  he  was  del 
uged  with  telegrams  from  every  part  of  the  State,  urging 
him  to  speak  in  the  more  prominent  places,  declaring  it  was 
necessary  to  counteract  the  efforts  that  were  being  made  to 
induce  voters  of  Democratic  proclivities  at  the  beginning  of 
the  war  to  support  McClellan.  Mr.  Lincoln's  friends  realized 
the  jeopardy  that  would  follow  a  division  of  the  vote  of  Illi 
nois  in  the  Electoral  College,  and  therefore  were  determined 
that  no  such  calamity  should  occur,  if  it  was  possible  to  pre 
vent  it  by  vigilance  and  desperate  effort. 

A  list  of  appointments  was  made  out  by  General  Logan  and 
the  committee,  which  would  consume  nearly  all  the  time  inter 
vening  between  his  arrival  home  and  the  election.  The  list 
was  published  and  a  party  made  up  to  accompany  him,  in 
cluding  ladies  and  gentlemen  who  were  well  known  in  the 
State. 

We  left  Carbondale  in  carriages,  General  Logan's  carriage 
being  drawn  by  the  mules  I  had  won  from  my  brother-in-law. 


A   SOLDIER'S   WIFE  179 

In  this  carriage  were  Colonel  Phillips,  General  Logan,  and 
myself. 

When  we  reached  the  first  town  on  the  list  the  enthusiastic 
crowd  that  greeted  General  Logan  was  innumerable.  Many 
soldiers  were  home  on  furlough  after  the  fall  of  Atlanta,  and 
they  were  important  factors  in  arousing  the  patriotism  of  the 
people.  As  we  neared  the  towns  we  were  met  by  throngs 
who,  impatient  to  see  General  Logan,  had  gone  out  on  the 
roads  for  miles  to  intercept  him.  The  nearer  we  approached 
the  wilder  the  cheers,  until,  before  the  people  could  be  re 
strained,  they  had  unhitched  the  mules,  and,  attaching  a  long 
rope  to  the  axle,  in  a  twinkling  they  were  drawing  the  car 
riage,  while  others  were  following  the  mules,  screaming: 
"  Here's  your  mules,  won  by  Mrs.  Logan  on  Lincoln's  elec 
tion!"  Gay  streamers  of  red,  white,  and  blue  ribbons  be 
decked  the  dumb  brutes  that  seemingly  understood  they  were 
attracting  attention,  and  were  as  docile  as  lambs,  though  we 
expected  to  see  them  resent  with  their  heels  the  familiarity 
with  which  they  were  being  handled.  The  towns  were  ablaze 
with  bunting;  the  brass  bands  filled  the  air  with  patriotic 
music.  We  sometimes  trembled  lest  the  people,  in  their  ex 
uberant  spirits  and  manifestations  of  cordiality  and  admira 
tion,  might  permanently  disable  General  Logan.  He  had  to 
manage  adroitly  to  seize  their  hands  before  they  could  get 
hold  of  his,  so  that  he  could  drop  theirs  and  save  his  from 
being  crushed  by  their  vigorous  shaking.  As  it  was,  he  had 
occasionally  to  put  his  hand  in  a  sling.  The  people  seemed 
unhappy  if  they  could  not  get  hold  of  him,  and  if  his  right 
hand  was  bound  up  they  would  slap  him  on  the  shoulders, 
embracing  him  in  a  way  that  would  make  him  wince,  though 
he  knew  their  hearts  were  full  of  loyalty  for  him.  Sometimes 
old  fathers  and  mothers,  whose  sons  had  gone  into  the  service 
under  General  Logan  and  had  fallen  in  battle  or  died  of  dis 
ease  or  wounds  in  hospitals  in  the  South,  would  come  up  to 
him  and,  with  tears  running  down  their  cheeks,  would  grasp 


i8o  REMINISCENCES   OF 

his  hands  or  pat  him  on  the  head  affectionately.  They  could 
rarely  speak  for  their  emotions.  When  they  could  speak 
they  would  say:  "Logan,  can  you  tell  us  anything  more  about 
our  boy?  Was  he  a  good  soldier?  Was  his  face  always  turned 
to  the  foe?  We  shall  see  him  no  more,  but  we  will  stand  by 
the  flag  and  Mr.  Lincoln,  because  our  boy  gave  his  life  for 
his  country,  and  Mr.  Lincoln  is  trying  to  save  the  Union  and 
our  country."  General  Logan's  great  heart  was  deeply  moved 
by  such  encounters,  and  the  tears  which  ran  down  his  cheeks 
told  of  his  sympathy  in  stronger  language  than  he  could  find 
words  in  which  to  express  it. 

Perhaps  the  next  to  push  their  way  to  him  would  be  a  com 
pany  of  men  and  women  gotten  up  in  grotesque  uniforms  of 
red,  white,  and  blue,  who  were  presented  by  their  pseudo- 
captains,  who  usually  had  some  amusing  design  worn  as  an 
insignia  of  the  rank  they  held.  Once,  I  remember,  they  car 
ried  a  splendid  live  eagle,  who  sat  his  perch  with  becoming 
dignity  while  he  was  presented  to  General  Logan  in  an  elab 
orate  speech  which  had  to  be  repeated  to  the  end  by  the 
voluble  orator  chosen  for  the  important  duty.  General  Logan 
accepted  the  gift,  and  assured  his  friends  that  he  would  carry 
the  bird  through  the  campaign;  that  he  should  be  allowed  to 
scream  for  the  Republican  party  and  its  worthy  nominees; 
and  that  with  the  eagle  and  the  mules  he  was  sure  his  can 
vass  would  not  be  in  vain. 

For  six  weeks  we  travelled  from  place  to  place,  being  at 
last  obliged  to  take  the  train,  and  send  the  mules  home,  as 
we  went  farther  North  and  the  distance  increased. 

The  farther  North  we  went  the  greater  the  crowds  and 
the  wilder  the  excitement,  convincing  General  Logan  long 
before  the  election  that  Illinois  could  safely  be  counted  for 
Lincoln  and  Johnson.  Pathos  and  comedy  followed  each 
other  in  such  quick  succession  during  that  memorable  trip 
that  we  were  constantly  vibrating  between  tears  and  laughter 
over  the  grave  and  comic  scenes  we  witnessed. 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  181 

We  tried  to  be  cheerful  and  to  think  that  the  worst  of  the 
war  was  over,  but  when  the  hour  came  for  General  Logan  to 
return  to  the  army  it  was  with  many  forebodings  that  we 
bade  him  good-by. 

He  was  ordered  to  report  to  General  Grant  at  City  Point, 
Virginia,  as  before  mentioned.  I  was  advised  of  the  order 
sending  him  to  relieve  Thomas.  With  intense  anxiety  I 
watched  the  very  meagre  despatches  in  the  papers,  and  hailed 
with  delight  the  news  of  Thomas's  victory  and  General 
Logan's  return  to  Washington  and  New  York,  en  route 
to  Savannah,  to  join  the  Fifteenth  Army  Corps,  which 
had  made  the  holiday  march  from  Atlanta  to  the  sea 
under  General  Sherman.  I  believed  then  that  by  the  time 
he  could  reach  his  command  all  the  fighting  would  be 
over. 

It  was,  however,  a  long  and  anxious  winter.  The  troops 
were  marching  through  swamps,  over  almost  impassable  roads, 
through  Georgia  and  the  Carolinas  to  Washington,  stopping 
now  and  again  to  dislodge  the  Confederates  from  their  final 
attempts  at  resistance  to  the  Union  troops,  who  were  driving 
everything  before  them  in  their  triumphant  progress  toward 
ending  the  bitter  struggles  for  the  preservation  of  the  Union 
and  for  peace.  We  could  get  news  from  the  army  far  less 
frequently  than  we  desired.  The  refugees  came  in  hordes 
from  the  South,  seeking  homes  as  near  the  border  of  the 
Southland  as  they  could  find.  Colored  and  white  dreaded 
the  cold  of  the  North,  and  as  a  consequence  the  people  of 
the  border  States  were  overwhelmed  with  the  numbers  of 
impecunious  creatures  who  had  to  leave  the  South.  It  was 
some  time  before  they  could  adapt  themselves  to  the  changed 
conditions  and  accept  the  inevitable.  New  laws  were  passed 
giving  the  negroes  protection  on  Southern  soil,  so  that  they 
came  in  very  well  as  a  solution  of  the  problem  of  what  to  do 
for  laborers  with  all  the  able-bodied  men  at  the  front.  Al 
though  both  races  were  insufferably  slow,  they  could  do  some- 


182  A  SOLDIER'S   WIFE 

thing.  If  you  tactfully  kept  away  from  them  when  they 
were  engaged  in  any  kind  of  work  they  would  get  through 
eventually,  and  were  a  great  improvement  on  having  no  one 
to  do  the  indispensable  manual  labor. 


CHAPTER  VIII 

CHRISTMAS  AT  CARBONDALE —  GENERAL  LOGAN  ORDERED  TO  RE 
LIEVE  THOMAS  —  BATTLE  OF  NASHVILLE  —  LOGAN  MAGNAN 
IMOUSLY  RETURNS  TO  HIS  CORPS  —  THE  MARCH  THROUGH  THE 
CAROLINAS  —  GOLDSBORO  AND  BENTONVILLE  —  FALL  OF  PE 
TERSBURG  AND  RICHMOND  —  ASSASSINATION  OF  LINCOLN  — 
LEE'S  SURRENDER  —  LOGAN  REINSTATED  IN  COMMAND  OF  ARMY 
OF  THE  TENNESSEE  —  GRAND  REVIEW  OF  THE  UNION  ARMY 
AT  WASHINGTON  —  RETURN  HOME  OF  THE  VOLUNTEERS — BIRTH 
OF  JOHN  A.  LOGAN,  JR.  —  RESIGNATION  OF  GENERAL  LOGAN  — 
ELECTED  CONGRESSMAN- AT-LARGE  —  A  RETROSPECTIVE  GLANCE 
OVER  THE  EARLY  SIXTIES  —  DEATH  OF  MY  MOTHER 

AFTER  the  November  election,  with  its  glorious  victories, 
and  the  triumph  all  along  the  line  dividing  the  Union  and 
Confederate  armies  from  the  Potomac  to  the  Gulf  of  Mexico, 
every  one  was  much  encouraged  and  began  to  hope  for  an 
early  cessation  of  hostilities.  The  Thanksgiving  of  that  year 
was  observed  with  fervent  thankfulness  to  Him  who  holds 
the  destinies  of  nations  in  the  hollow  of  His  hand.  People 
greeted  each  other  with — "Well,  what  is  the  good  news  of 
to-day?"  "Grant  will  be  in  Richmond  soon."  "Lincoln 
will  be  inaugurated  as  President  of  a  reunited  country  the 
4th  of  March." 

The  approach  of  the  holidays  was  hailed  with  delight. 
The  old-time  Christmas  festivities  were  looked  forward  to 
with  anticipations  of  much  pleasure.  Homes  that  had  been 
shrouded  in  gloom  for  four  long  years  began  their  wonted 
preparations  for  celebrating  the  happy  season.  The  church 
societies  which  had  been  absorbed  in  the  work  for  the  sani 
tary  commission  and  soldiers'  families  began  to  talk  of  a 
Christmas  tree  for  the  old  and  young  of  the  whole  town.  In 
Carbondale,  Illinois,  where  I  lived,  it  would  have  been  con- 

183 


i84  REMINISCENCES  OF 

sidered  heartless  and  treasonable  to  have  suggested  such  a 
thing  during  the  holidays  of  '61,  '62,  '63;  but  every  one  was 
full  of  enthusiasm  for  the  tree  of  Christmas,  1864.  For  weeks 
before  many  men  and  women  were  busy  making  presents  for 
everybody,  especially  the  children  in  the  town,  including  those 
who  only  went  to  Sunday-school  during  the  holidays.  Mit 
tens,  caps,  comforts,  socks,  stockings,  pinafores,  handkerchiefs, 
collars,  ribbons,  sleds,  toys,  candies,  cakes,  fruit,  nuts,  and  all 
kinds  of  gifts  were  prepared  to  gladden  old  and  young. 

Two  large  cedars  were  secured  and  brought  into  the  Meth 
odist  church,  it  being  the  largest  in  town.  Willing  and  skilful 
hands  were  found  to  decorate  the  whole  church  in  living 
green,  with  branches  of  evergreens,  artificial  flowers,  and  flags 
profusely  interspersed.  The  tree  was  festooned  with  yards 
of  pop-corn  strung  on  a  cord  by  passing  a  needle  through 
the  snow-white  kernels.  Oranges  were  hung  on  the  boughs, 
while  tiny  flags  and  glass  balls  of  every  color  of  the  rainbow 
were  hung  on  almost  every  branch.  The  tinner  kindly  do 
nated  little  tin  saucers  with  wires  so  arranged  through  the 
centre  that  they  would  hold  the  little  candles  and  at  the 
same  time  fasten  them  to  the  limbs  of  the  tree.  These  were 
for  the  illumination.  In  the  afternoon  of  Christmas  Eve  the 
presents  were  all  brought  to  the  church  done  up  in  packages 
and  labelled  with  the  name  of  the  person  for  whom  they  were 
intended.  They  had  to  be  tied  on  the  strong  limbs  near  the 
body  of  the  trees.  When  completed  and  the  mounds  at  the 
base  had  been  covered  over  with  mats  made  of  green  woollen 
ravellings  to  imitate  grass,  they  looked  majestic — no  grander 
ever  graced  a  royal  palace  or  brought  greater  joy  to  hearts 
of  imperial  households.  The  ceremonies  began  at  seven- 
thirty.  The  programme  consisted  of  music,  songs,  recita 
tions,  and  addresses  by  guests.  It  was  a  union  of  all  denom 
inations  in  the  town  to  celebrate  the  Holy  Nativity.  Brief 
speeches  from  the  pastors  of  the  different  churches  followed. 
After  this  Santa  Claus  appeared  in  a  long  fur  coat  and  cap, 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  185 

his  white  beard  reaching  nearly  to  his  waist.  He  was  hailed 
by  a  chorus  of  childish  voices  and  the  clapping  of  many  hands. 
When  it  was  found  that  his  generosity  extended  to  every  one 
present,  and  that  on  all  were  bestowed  the  very  things  they 
wanted,  exclamations  of  delight  filled  the  church.  No  such 
sight  as  the  merry  children  running  from  one  to  the  other, 
comparing  and  exhibiting  their  treasures,  had  been  witnessed 
since  the  sound  of  booming  cannon  had  broken  the  spell  of 
sweet  peace  of  the  nation.  A  cloud  of  anxiety  and  suspense 
had  always  overshadowed  every  entertainment  during  the 
years  of  the  war.  After  singing  with  a  zest  the  Christmas 
carols,  and  an  eloquent  benediction,  the  joyous  people  wended 
their  way  to  their  homes  with  hearts  full  of  happiness,  feeling 
that  Christmas-tide  was  bringing  the  glad  tidings  of  peace  on 
earth  and  good  will  toward  men. 

The  political  triumphs  emphasized  by  the  military  victories 
seemed  to  bring  hope  and  gladness  to  the  people  who  fancied 
through  it  all  they  could  see  the  dawn  of  peace.  Everywhere 
there  was  less  of  the  spirit  of  revolution  and  disloyalty;  grum 
blers  and  evil  prognosticators  were  fewer;  anxiety  and  solici 
tude  were  no  longer  in  every  face.  As  soon  as  the  election 
was  over  and  Mr.  Lincoln  was  declared  elected,  General  Logan 
asked  for  orders  to  return  to  his  command.  Much  dissatis 
faction  still  existed  throughout  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee 
because  General  Logan  had  not  been  restored  to  the  com 
mand  of  that  army.  General  Grant,  therefore,  bade  him 
come  to  Washington,  where  he  arrived  on  the  23d  of  Decem 
ber,  1864,  and  stopped  at  Brown's — now  the  Metropolitan 
— Hotel,  where  he  spent  Christmas  Day,  the  most  agreeable 
one  to  him  since  1860.  He  was  satisfied  that  it  was  only  a 
question  of  a  brief  time  before  the  war  would  be  over,  and 
he  was  consequently  very  happy.  His  corps  had  made  the 
jolly  march  through  Georgia  without  even  a  skirmish  since 
he  left  them  to  take  part  in  the  Presidential  campaign  after 
the  fall  of  Atlanta.  His  corps  was  then  at  Savannah  and 


186  REMINISCENCES  OF 

impatient  to  begin  the  march  through  the  Carolinas  en  route 
to  Richmond.  He  was  equally  impatient  to  lead  them,  but 
General  Grant  had  other  plans  for  him. 

After  the  fall  of  Atlanta  Grant  was  anxious  that  Sherman 
should  start  out  upon  his  march  to  the  sea,  which  he  and 
Sherman  had  considered  the  most  effective  movement  that 
could  be  made  at  that  time  to  bring  the  war  to  a  close.  In 
order  to  make  this  expedition  and  avoid  a  catastrophe,  Grant 
was  most  anxious  that  General  Thomas,  then  in  command  of 
the  troops  about  Nashville,  should  drive  Hood  out  of  Ten 
nessee.  The  history  of  this  General  Grant  gives  in  his 
"  Memoirs,"  *  including  copies  of  orders  which  he  had  issued 
to  General  Thomas  urging  him  to  attack  Hood,  but  which 
Thomas  had  ignored  because  he  took  it  upon  himself  to  decide 
as  to  the  wisdom  of  these  orders,  steadily  delaying  to  make 
the  attack  until  he  had  succeeded  in  getting  his  army  in  the 
position  he  desired  it  should  be  before  carrying  out  his  orders. 
In  the  light  of  the  glorious  victories  won  by  Thomas,  one 
forgets  what  might  have  been  the  consequence  of  his  diso 
bedience  to  orders  if  defeat  instead  of  victory  had  character 
ized  these  sanguinary  engagements. 

This  was  the  situation  when  General  Logan  reached  Wash 
ington,  December  3,  1864,  en  route  to  join  the  Fifteenth  Corps 
at  Savannah  by  water.  He  reported  to  General  Grant  at 
City  Point,  Virginia.  He  found  General  Grant  much  exas 
perated  at  General  Thomas's  delay.  Grant  says  in  his  "  Me 
moirs":  "Knowing  General  Logan  to  be  a  prompt,  gallant 
and  efficient  officer,  I  gave  him  an  order  to  proceed  to  Nash 
ville  and  relieve  Thomas."  General  Logan  disliked  extremely 
to  obey  General  Grant's  order  implicitly,  because  he  felt  quite 
sure  that  Thomas  would  consider  that  he  had  taken  advan 
tage  of  an  opportunity  to  displace  him  and  thereby  be  re 
venged  for  General  Thomas's  personal  injustice  to  General 
Logan  in  urging  that  General  Howard  supersede  General 
•Vol.  II,  pp.  357-386. 


The  order  from  General  Grant  directing  General  Logan  to  relieve 
General  Thomas. 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  187 

Logan  in  the  command  of  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee  after 
General  McPherson  was  killed.  However,  he  reluctantly  de 
parted  promptly  for  Louisville,  Kentucky,  from  which  place 
he  was  to  communicate  with  Thomas  and  advise  him  of  the 
orders  he  had  received.  General  Logan,  however,  stopped 
at  Cincinnati  and  sent  one  of  his  staff-officers  on  a  confiden 
tial  mission  to  General  Thomas,  at  Nashville,  with  a  copy 
of  the  order  he  held  to  relieve  him,  instructing  the  officer  to 
try  to  induce  Thomas  to  make  the  attack  which  General 
Grant  had  ordered  him  over  and  over  again  to  do,  and  to 
impress  upon  Thomas  General  Logan's  disinclination  to  take 
advantage  of  the  orders  he  held.  General  Logan  felt  that 
Thomas's  further  persistency  in  delay,  notwithstanding  the 
fearful  weather  and  almost  impassable  roads  which  had  been 
his  excuse,  might  result  most  unfortunately  for  the  Union 
army  by  allowing  the  enemy  to  amass  such  a  large  force. 
Therefore  General  Logan  wished  to  use  his  influence  to  have 
Thomas  obey  Grant's  orders  at  once  and  thereby  relieve  him 
of  the  necessity  of  superseding  General  Thomas.  General 
Thomas,  being  convinced  that  longer  delay  would  cause  him 
to  forfeit  his  command,  and  that  he  would  be  superseded 
by  General  Logan,  made  the  attack  December  15,  1864. 

General  Logan,  receiving  at  Louisville  the  news  of  the 
battle  of  Nashville,  at  once  sent  to  General  Grant  the 
following  telegram: 

LOUISVILLE,  Dec.  17,  1864. 

LIEUT.  GEN'L.  U.  S.  GRANT,  City  Point,  Va. 

Have  just  arrived,  weather  bad,  is  raining  since  yesterday 
morning.  People  here  all  jubilant  over  Gen'l.  Thomas's  success. 
Confidence  seems  to  be  restored. 

I  will  remain  here  to  hear  from  you.  All  things  going  right,  it 
would  seem  best  that  I  return  soon  to  join  my  command  with 
Sherman. 

JOHN  A.  LOGAN,  Maj.  Gen'l. 

Thus  it  will  be  seen  that  General  Logan  made  the  sugges 
tion  to  return  to  his  command  after  Thomas's  victory,  ignor- 


i88  REMINISCENCES  OF 

ing  the  opportunity  which  had  been  given  him  to  be  revenged 
upon  one  who  had  done  him  so  much  injustice.  He  was  not 
moved  by  any  other  consideration  than  that  of  doing  unto 
others  as  he  would  that  they  should  do  unto  him,  albeit  he 
felt  that  Thomas's  long  delay  was  inexcusable,  and  that  he 
could  have  won  even  a  more  glorious  victory  weeks  before 
if  he  had  not  been  of  so  "slow"  or  deliberate  a  temperament. 
General  Logan  often  said  that,  had  he  been  in  Thomas's  place, 
he  would  have  made  the  attack  much  sooner  than  Thomas 
did,  and  believed  that  he  would  have  had  a  victory  as  brilliant 
as  that  of  Thomas's  on  the  i5th  of  December. 

I  often  heard  General  Grant  and  General  Logan  discuss 
Thomas  and  his  heroism  as  a  soldier,  but  they  expressed 
regret  that  his  temperament  was  so  obstinate  and  that  he 
shrank  from  responsibility.  General  Logan  always  insisted 
that  he  was  not  deterred  from  obeying  orders  to  relieve  Thomas 
on  any  other  ground  than  that  he  would  not  be  guilty  of  snatch 
ing  laurels  which  he  knew  Thomas  could  win  if  he  would  only 
obey  orders  to  attack  Hood  promptly.  Of  course,  whether  it 
was  General  Logan's  appeal  to  Thomas  to  save  himself  and 
fight  the  battle  or  because  Thomas  had  finally  succeeded  in 
making  the  preparations  which  he  had  spent  so  much  time 
perfecting,  no  one  will  ever  know,  as  General  Thomas  was  of 
a  peculiar  disposition,  and  was  so  set  in  his  opinion  as  to  the 
wisdom  of  his  conception  of  a  situation  that  he  would  never 
give  utterance  to  an  appreciation  of  indulgence  extended  to 
him  or  of  gratitude  to  those  who  had  done  him  great  service. 

Again  General  Logan  telegraphed  General  Grant  request 
ing  that  he  be  allowed  to  return  to  the  Fifteenth  Army  Corps, 
then  near  Savannah,  Georgia.  His  request  was  granted,  and 
he  accordingly  repaired  to  Washington,  thence  to  New  York, 
and  by  sea  to  Savannah,  and  was  soon  with  his  much-loved 
and  devoted  corps,  with  whom  he  was  destined  to  continue 
in  their  march  through  the  Carolinas  to  Washington. 

From  incessant  rains  the  whole  country  was  inundated, 


^  »  < 


<*y 


&.«£>     <•/  /?•  t*.  <•.  t  <  ~  s  /fs 

t<  *•*    e*.  *.  •.  -s*         j£s  *-.,#{£     sttx      /* 
^^_  //t^f      f/j'&v+^s     /{2^  & 


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<T^i'  ^  / 


-c*  £  <-  ^_  r  ^  -a*"  ^  ~ 


Letter  of  General  Logan  to  General  Grant  after  General  Thomas's  victory 
at  Nashville. 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  189 

every  stream  swollen  beyond  the  confines  of  its  banks,  roads 
were  almost  impassable,  and  the  entire  command  destitute  of 
shoes  or  warm  clothes,  but  happy  as  lords  and  eager  to  continue 
the  march  toward  Richmond.  A  less  practical  commander 
or  less  courageous  men  would  have  faltered  before  the  almost 
impassable  barriers  of  mud,  ice,  and  water  which  surrounded 
them  on  every  hand,  but  Sherman's  "bummers"  and  General 
Logan's  gallant  men,  among  whom  was  the  3ist  Illinois,  his  old 
regiment,  knew  no  discouragement.  Captain  A.  M.  Jenkins,  a 
cousin,  frequently  gallantly  commanded  the  squads  which 
waded  waist  deep  in  mud  and  water  to  build  the  corduroys 
across  the  swamp.  They  could  build  pontoons,  fell  trees,  and 
make  corduroy  roads,  and  march  over  them  dragging  ord 
nance  after  them,  and  subsist  on  the  country  while  they  did  it. 
From  Savannah  they  went  to  Beaufort,  thence  to  Columbia, 
Fayetteville,  Goldsboro,  Raleigh,  and  on  to  Richmond — not 
as  they  marched  from  Atlanta  to  the  sea,  but  driving  an  in 
trepid  army  who  fell  back  fighting.  Reaching  the  Salke- 
hatchie  River,  they  found  the  enemy  had  determined  to  make 
another  stand  and  had  again  intrenched  themselves,  think 
ing  the  swollen  streams  would  serve  like  the  moat  of  olden- 
time  fortifications.  But  the  Fifteenth  Army  Corps  knew 
nothing  of  the  tardiness  of  ancient  warfare,  so,  dashing  through 
the  sluggish  stream,  they  assaulted  the  enemy  with  such  fury 
that  they  were  soon  in  possession  of  their  intrenchments,  and, 
pushing  along  the  railroad,  arrived  at  North  Edisto  by  the 
1 2th  of  February,  where,  in  an  engagement,  General  Logan 
captured  many  prisoners.  When  they  reached  Columbia, 
South  Carolina,  they  found  the  retreating  Confederates  had 
set  a  lot  of  cotton  bales  and  other  stores  on  fire,  from  which 
a  general  conflagration  ensued.  I  have  often  heard  General 
Logan  tell,  with  tears  in  his  eyes,  of  the  horrors  of  the  night 
his  troops  entered  that  burning  city  and  of  the  wreck  that 
the  desperate  and  intoxicated  enemy  left  behind  them.  Bar 
rels  of  whiskey  and  wine  were  here  and  there  and  everywhere; 


1 9o  REMINISCENCES   OF 

the  desperate  troops  had  been  drinking  their  fill,  and  those 
arriving  were  not  behind  them  in  bacchanalian  propensities. 
Life  and  property  were  of  little  consequence  to  either  the 
Union  or  the  Confederate.  Total  destruction  seemed  inevi 
table,  and  but  for  General  Logan's  perfect  command  over 
his  men  and  his  herculean  efforts  there  would  not  have  been 
left  one  stone  upon  another  of  the  houses,  or  a  single  soul  of 
the  inhabitants  to  tell  the  tale  of  the  awful  holocaust.  People 
were  flying  to  and  fro  in  the  streets,  wild  with  excitement  and 
fear,  while  the  flames  were  consuming  everything  before  them. 
There  were  poor  facilities  for  extinguishing  fires  under  most 
favorable  circumstances,  and  with  no  one  of  the  city  authori 
ties  at  his  post,  and  the  triumphant  general  and  his  army 
just  entering  the  city,  it  seems  incredible,  even  now,  that 
they  saved  anything;  but  through  wise  management  and  super 
human  efforts  many  houses  were  wrested  from  the  devouring 
flames  and  order  restored. 

Lynch  Creek,  Lumber,  Cape  Fear,  South  and  Neuse  Rivers, 
with  the  bottomless  swamps  between  presented  the  most  for 
midable  and  trying  obstacles  every  mile  of  the  march  to 
Goldsboro.  The  weary  men  had  scarcely  finished  building 
roads,  bridges,  and  causeways,  and  succeeded  in  dragging 
the  wagons  and  artillery  over  them,  when  they  would  strike 
another  seemingly  impassable  lagoon  or  swamp.  The  swamps 
were  thickly  timbered,  fortunately  for  the  army,  for  the  men 
could  wade  into  the  water  and  fell  the  trees  to  form  corduroy 
roads  and  build  bridges.  When  it  is  remembered  that  this 
was  done  with  a  stubborn  enemy  in  front  of  them,  ready  to 
take  every  advantage,  it  must  be  acknowledged  that  this 
march  has  no  parallel  in  difficulty.  The  country  about 
Goldsboro  was  almost  devastated,  and  subsistence  was  diffi 
cult;  but  the  invincible  army  pushed  on,  feeling  sure  that  they 
were  nearing  the  end  of  hardship  and  warfare.  At  Benton- 
ville  the  Fifteenth  Army  Corps  met  the  enemy  and  again 
repulsed  them,  after  which  Johnston  retreated,  burning  the 


T«l  POB4CM*  oetl«*vj,  tbst  In  erttr  V.  fHHH  *  ntrist  n>»Uk«» 
«!S8  of  tmporUw*  oajtbt  to  be  repeated  by  being  sect  back  froiu  Ib 
M»«*,D  from  whfch  it  i»  origt.ttUy  «.n,t.  Half  the  usual  price  for  tr 
sir*****.  «n.!  «hfl«tbU  Conptaj  »UJ,  »-  h<^-'  ;'-r..  ,,  o  «T,.rv  ;: 

U'o  hu'SdJJdVimw  theUD^sf  p.5*fo?^Sd^  -The'm"' 

!«s  frmn  !»t*>rruHk.D«  In  tbe  wo^^in^  of  IU  Tclryrr»i>h*,  ncr  for  any  i 
»!«*«•  lit>#«  »  BK-WE*  to  to  b<>  mt  t< 


Telegram  from  General  Grant  revoking  his  order  to  General  Logan  to  relieve 
General  Thomas 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  191 

bridges  behind  him.  Halting  at  Goldsboro  to  recuperate, 
they  heard  that  Petersburg  had  fallen  and  that  Richmond 
was  in  the  hands  of  General  Grant,  and  the  attempted  Con 
federacy  was  no  more.  Going  into  camp  at  Raleigh,  North 
Carolina,  they  waited  for  the  whole  army  to  come  up,  and 
with  the  conclusion  of  negotiations  between  Sherman  and 
Johnston  Richmond  was  ours,  and  now  they  had  nothing  to 
do  but  to  push  on  to  Washington  and  behold  a  united  country. 
While  rejoicing  over  this  happy  thought,  they  were  startled 
by  the  overwhelming  news  of  the  assassination  of  Mr.  Lin 
coln,  which  so  exasperated  the  soldiery  that,  with  the  fury  of 
madmen,  they  swore  vengeance  on  every  inhabitant  of  the 
South,  and  but  for  their  devotion  to  General  Logan  they 
would  have  destroyed  the  city  of  Raleigh,  North  Carolina, 
and  every  soul  within  its  precincts.  Hearing  of  the  wild 
grief  and  intense  indignation  of  the  men,  General  Logan 
mounted  his  well-known  horse,  Black  Jack,  and  flew  from  one 
command  to  another,  calling  on  the  men  to  be  worthy  of 
their  own  heroic  deeds  and  innocent  of  the  blood  of  guiltless 
people,  to  remember  that  he  who  had  been  sacrificed  would 
not  that  they  should  thus  avenge  his  death,  but  let  the  laws 
they  had  upheld  take  charge  of  the  guilty.  Weeping  like 
children,  these  brave  men  went  to  their  quarters.  A  perfect 
pall  hung  over  the  whole  army,  which  the  good  news  of  so 
soon  being  mustered  out  of  the  service  was  not  able  to  dispel. 
Thinking  men  could  not  divine  where  the  conspiracy  was  to 
end  or  to  what  extent  the  military  would  be  obliged  to  act. 
They  were  ready  for  anything,  and  would  not  have  hesitated  to 
seize  any  suspected  persons;  but  seeing  the  magnanimity  of 
Mr.  Lincoln  so  ruthlessly  betrayed,  and  such  madness  and 
desperation  indulged  in  by  the  reckless  spirits  who  sympa 
thized  with  the  rebellion,  they  feared  the  worst.  In  Washington 
no  such  gloom  had  ever  been  known.  Such  a  tragedy  as  the 
assassination  of  the  President  and  the  attempted  assassina 
tion  of  the  cabinet  officers,  following  the  triumph  of  the  Gov- 


i92  REMINISCENCES  OF 

eminent,  made  the  most  indifferent  feel  that  they  were  stand 
ing  over  a  volcano  that  was  likely  to  burst  forth  in  fury  at 
the  most  unexpected  moment;  that  the  lives  of  the  executives 
were  insecure,  and  that  after  all  the  sacrifices  of  human  life 
and  the  nation's  treasury,  there  was  no  peace  or  security  of 
life;  that  the  republic  was  a  failure,  and  that,  like  Mexico 
and  South  America,  we  were  destined  to  experience  continu 
ous  revolutions.  Nothing  but  the  inherent  wisdom  that  had 
guided  us  through  the  whirlpool  of  rebellion  saved  us  from 
anarchy.  Our  people  never  dreamed  that  the  methods  which 
had  characterized  monarchies  would  ever  be  attempted  in 
our  republic,  and  it  required  time  for  them  to  rally  from  such 
a  shock.  But,  as  before,  the  deliberate  judgment  of  cool 
heads  soon  regained  the  mastery,  and  order  was  maintained. 
In  the  country  the  people  were  overwhelmed  with  grief,  and 
with  folded  hands  presented  sad  pictures  of  despair,  the 
strongest  not  ashamed  of  their  tears.  They  even  suspected 
Mr.  Johnson,  who  was  born  on  Southern  soil.  Their  faith 
was  only  firm  in  the  army  and  its  great  commanders.  Gen 
eral  Grant  could  have  made  himself  dictator  had  his  ambi 
tion  prompted  him  to  such  daring.  His  timely  support  of 
Johnson  and  his  assurance  that  the  will  of  the  President 
should  be  obeyed  by  the  army  did  much  toward  quieting  the 
excitement.  In  the  mean  time  the  army  was  gradually  near- 
ing  the  capital  for  the  grand  review  and  disbandment. 

Every  day  after  the  assassination  of  President  Lincoln  the 
news  which  came  to  the  army  was  of  a  succession  of  disasters 
to  the  Confederacy  and  its  faithful  adherents,  till  the  last 
armed  foe  had  to  surrender.  Even  those  remote  from  the 
armies  were  eager  to  hear  of  the  final  capitulation.  Feeling 
that  peace  was  near  at  hand,  they  were  impatient  for  the 
return  of  loved  ones  who  had  now  been  away  for  more  than 
four  years.  The  crops  and  business  had  been  neglected,  be 
cause  at  the  beginning  of  the  war  the  people  did  little  else  but 
go  to  the  station  and  to  the  telegraph  office  to  hear  everything 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  193 

possible.  Finally  Lee's  surrender  was  telegraphed  all  over 
the  country,  and  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee  was  ordered  to 
Alexandria,  Virginia.  All  the  country  around  Washington 
was  occupied  by  troops.  The  Army  of  the  Potomac,  having 
finished  its  work  in  Virginia,  on  the  James,  at  Gettysburg,  and 
all  along  the  Chesapeake,  had  retraced  its  steps,  and  was 
again  encamped  around  the  capital  it  had  hastened  to  defend 
in  1 86 1.  The  armies  from  the  Southwest  who  had  been  from 
Cairo  to  New  Orleans,  on  the  coast  from  New  York  to  Saint 
Augustine,  from  Vicksburg  to  Lookout  Mountain,  from  At 
lanta  to  the  sea,  were  all  ordered  to  report  to  headquarters  in 
Washington.  The  men  of  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee,  ragged 
and  worn  by  their  long  marches  and  desperate  fighting,  but 
with  a  glorious  record  for  heroism  and  endurance,  were  de 
lighted  that  they  were  to  have  an  opportunity  to  see  the  Capi 
tol,  the  White  House,  where  Mr.  Lincoln  had  lived,  and  the 
theatre  where  he  had  been  so  cruelly  murdered. 

Reaching  Alexandria  May  12,  1865,  they  were  encamped 
in  and  around  that  degenerate  city,  where  brave  young  Ells 
worth,  the  first  martyr  of  the  war,  lost  his  life  in  hauling  down 
a  Confederate  flag  that  had  been  hoisted  over  the  Jackson 
Hotel,  almost  under  the  shadow  of  the  dome  of  the  Capitol. 
General  Howard  was  ordered  to  take  charge  of  the  Freed- 
men's  Bureau,  and  General  Logan  was  reinstated,  as  he  should 
have  been  before,  in  command  of  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee. 
He  was  received  by  the  soldiers  with  cheer  after  cheer,  and 
was  made  happy  by  the  feeling  that  justice,  though  tardy, 
had  at  last  been  awarded  him. 

When  the  negotiations  of  peace  had  all  been  signed,  and 
were  unchangeable,  the  President  and  cabinet  and  some  wise 
counsellors  said:  "Now  the  war  is  over  we  shall  never  again 
see  such  an  armed  force  in  this  country.  We  must  have  a 
grand  review  in  Washington  and  allow  the  survivors  of  the 
gigantic  rebellion  to  march  up  Pennsylvania  Avenue  with  the 
commander  of  each  army  and  his  staff  at  its  head."  When 


i94  REMINISCENCES  OF 

Napoleon  returned  from  Italy,  the  whole  army  of  France 
and  its  allies  passed  in  review  down  the  Champs  Elysees  and 
were  marshalled  on  the  Champ  de  Mars;  the  trophies  of 
arms,  flags,  and  captured  cannon  that  were  arranged  artistic 
ally  on  that  broad  plain  inspired  the  whole  of  France  with 
implicit  faith  in  Napoleon.  The  spectacle  of  the  victorious 
legions  marching  to  the  music  of  the  Marseillaise  on  that 
great  occasion  so  impressed  the  people  that  it  was  possible 
for  the  great  conqueror  to  lead  them,  as  he  did,  to  the  very 
jaws  of  death. 

Our  republic  had  been  saved  by  our  invincible  army,  and 
in  order  to  confirm  the  faith  of  the  nation  in  them,  it  was  a 
wise  suggestion  to  have  the  review;  hence  it  was  arranged 
for  the  23d  and  24th  of  May.  No  fairer  days  ever  dawned. 
To  the  bright  sunshine  were  added  the  magnificent  accessories 
of  military  and  spectacular  scenery.  General  Logan  once  de 
scribed  the  day  as  follows:  "It  looked  as  if  the  great  Repub 
lic  was  on  dress  parade;  the  house-tops,  the  windows,  the 
doors  and  balconies  and  all  available  space  around,  below 
and  above  was  packed  with  men,  women,  and  children.  They 
were  well  clothed;  the  Nation  had  put  on  its  best.  Tens  of 
thousands  of  bouquets  made  settings  for  the  picture  and  were 
subsequently  thrown  to  the  officers  and  troops  as  they  passed 
in  review.  Cannons  boomed,  engines  whistled,  flags  fluttered 
in  the  breeze,  innumerable  brass  bands  and  drum-corps  filled 
the  air  with  patriotic  music.  Every  conceivable  demonstra 
tion  manifesting  the  enthusiastic  welcome  of  a  grateful  people 
to  their  heroic  defenders  characterized  the  day." 

For  many  hours  of  each  day  before,  every  soldier,  to  the 
most  untidy  and  reckless  in  the  ranks,  was  busy  polishing  his 
arms  and  accoutrements,  repairing  well-worn  uniforms  and 
soleless  shoes.  Artillery  guns  and  caissons  had  not  been  so 
polished  before,  mountings  and  housings  were  never  so  bright, 
while  bayonets  were  polished  till  they  glittered  like  Damas 
cus  blades. 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  195 

General  Sherman,  accompanied  by  his  formidable  staff,  to 
which  he  added  Major-General  O.  0.  Howard  and  other  gen 
eral  officers,  preceded  the  almost  endless  columns  from  the 
Capitol  west  on  Pennsylvania  Avenue.  First  came  the  Army 
of  the  Potomac,  trim  and  neat,  marching  like  regulars  on 
parade;  then  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee,  composed  of  the 
Fifteenth,  Sixteenth,  Seventeenth,  Twentieth,  and  Fourteenth 
Corps,  with  well-worn  uniforms  and  almost  shoeless  feet, 
followed  their  dauntless  and  idolized  leader,  General  John  A. 
Logan,  who  sat  his  steed  like  a  statue.  On  horseback  he  was 
majestic,  as  erect  and  graceful  as  an  Indian,  his  long  black 
hair  and  mustache,  flashing  eyes,  olive  complexion,  and  broad- 
brimmed  army  hat  giving  him  the  air  of  a  cavalier.  On  that 
day  he  was  the  recipient  of  such  ringing  cheers  that  he  was 
very  happy.  Bouquets  and  wreaths  of  flowers  were  showered 
on  him.  The  enthusiastic  men  in  the  street,  rushing  up  to 
his  horse,  put  the  wreaths  over  the  proud  animal's  head 
down  on  to  the  creature's  neck  until  it  was  covered.  When 
division  after  division  was  hailed  with  such  deafening  shouts, 
General  Logan's  heart  beat  high  with  pride  and  gratifica 
tion.  He  cared  little  that  they  were  called  "  Sherman's  bum 
mers,"  or  that  scarcely  a  uniform  of  officers  or  men  in  the 
whole  army  would  have  passed  a  regulation  inspection.  In 
the  glory  of  that  day  Logan's  men  forgot  the  fathomless  mud 
of  Cairo,  the  sleet,  mud,  and  water  around  Forts  Henry  and 
Donelson,  the  heat  and  long  siege  of  Vicksburg,  the  rugged 
mountains  of  Kenesaw,  the  siege  of  Atlanta,  the  swamps  and 
corduroys  of  Georgia  and  the  Carolinas,  the  burning  suns,  and 
pitiless  storms  of  winter,  the  marches,  the  battles,  the  suffer 
ing  and  carnage  of  the  long  four  years  intervening  between 
April,  1 86 1,  and  May,  1865.  General  Logan  forgot  that  he 
had  been  relieved  unjustly  of  the  command  of  the  Army  of 
the  Tennessee  after  his  great  victory  at  Atlanta  and  speedy 
avenging  of  the  death  of  McPherson,  July  22,  1864.  All  were 
going  home  soon  and  only  thought  and  dreamed  of  bliss,  like 


i  g6  REMINISCENCES   OF 

Campbell's  soldier.  Even  in  the  dead  of  the  night  "sweet 
visions"  they  saw,  "and  thrice  ere  the  morning"  they  dreamed 
them  again. 

From  morning  till  night,  for  two  days,  these  victorious  co 
horts  were  marching  through  Pennsylvania  Avenue,  past  the 
President,  and  back  to  their  quarters.  Banners  were  flying; 
battered  flags  were  borne  by  proud  color-bearers;  the  bands 
played  the  familiar  airs  that  had  inspired  many  a  faltering 
heart  in  battle,  while  the  glittering  bayonets  of  the  infantry 
and  bright  plumes  of  the  cavalry  and  artillery  presented  a 
picture  never  to  be  effaced,  and  aroused  the  patriotism  of 
every  American  heart.  Decimated  ranks  and  riderless  horses 
told  the  story  of  what  the  final  triumph  had  cost,  and  was  the 
one  cloud  over  the  matchless  pageant  that  can  never  be  re 
peated  on  American  soil. 

Immediately  following  the  review  were  orders  for  the  mus 
tering  out  of  the  service  of  the  Union  army  those  whose 
heroic  work  had  been  so  gloriously  accomplished.  General 
Logan  and  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee  were  ordered  to  Louis 
ville,  Kentucky,  where  they  were  to  be  honorably  disbanded, 
the  men  to  be  allowed  to  go  whithersoever  they  listed.  It 
was  most  pathetic  to  see  them  anxious  for  a  leave  of  absence 
to  visit  their  loved  ones,  but  loath  to  leave  the  army  and  their 
idolized  commander;  many  of  them  pledged  themselves  to  re 
turn  speedily  upon  a  call  from  him  for  service  anywhere  in 
the  world.  Time  nor  distance  can  ever  break  the  bonds 
cemented  by  the  experience  of  soldiers  who  have  marched, 
suffered,  and  bivouacked  together.  Before  disbanding,  Gen 
eral  Logan  issued  the  following  order,  which  very  feebly  ex 
pressed  his  feelings  toward  them  and  their  gallant  service: 

HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  or  THE  TENNESSEE, 

LOUISVILLE,  KY.,  July  13,  1865. 
OFFICERS  AND  SOLDIERS  OF  THE  ARMY  OF  THE  TENNESSEE: 

The  profound  gratification  I  feel  in  being  authorized  to  release 
you  from  the  onerous  obligations  of  the  camp,  and  return  you, 


A   SOLDIER'S  WIFE  197 

laden  with  laurels,  to  homes  where  warm  hearts  wait  to  welcome 
you,  is  somewhat  imbittered  by  the  painful  reflection  that  I  am 
sundering  the  ties  that  trials  have  made  true,  time  made  tender, 
sufferings  made  sacred,  perils  made  proud,  heroism  made  honor 
able,  and  fame  made  forever  fearless  of  the  future.  It  is  no  com 
mon  occasion  that  demands  the  disbandment  of  a  military  organi 
zation  before  the  resistless  power  of  which  mountains  bristling 
with  bayonets  have  bowed,  cities  have  surrendered,  and  millions 
of  brave  men  have  been  conquered.  Although  I  have  been  but  a 
short  period  your  commander,  we  are  not  strangers;  affections 
have  sprung  up  between  us  during  the  long  years  of  doubt,  gloom, 
and  carnage  which  we  have  passed  through  together,  nurtured  by 
common  perils,  sufferings,  and  sacrifices,  and  riveted  by  the  mem 
ories  of  gallant  comrades  whose  bones  repose  beneath  the  sod  of 
an  hundred  battle-fields,  which  neither  time  nor  distance  will 
weaken  or  efface.  The  many  marches  that  you  have  made,  the 
dangers  you  have  despised,  the  haughtiness  you  have  humbled,  the 
duties  you  have  discharged,  the  glory  you  have  gained,  the  des 
tiny  you  have  discovered  for  the  country  for  whose  cause  you  have 
conquered,  all  recur  at  this  moment  in  all  the  vividness  that  marked 
the  scenes  through  which  we  have  just  passed.  From  the  pens  of 
the  ablest  historians  of  the  land  daily  are  drifting  out  upon  the 
current  of  time,  page  upon  page,  volume  upon  volume  of  your 
heroic  deeds,  which,  floating  down  to  future  generations,  will  in 
spire  the  student  of  history  with  admiration,  the  patriotic  Ameri 
can  with  veneration  for  his  ancestors,  and  the  lover  of  republican 
liberty  with  gratitude  to  those  who,  in  a  fresh  baptism  of  blood, 
reconsecrated  the  powers  and  energies  of  the  Republic  to  the  cause 
of  constitutional  freedom. 

Long  may  it  be  the  happy  fortune  of  each  and  every  one  of  you 
to  live  in  the  full  fruition  of  the  boundless  blessings  you  have  se 
cured  to  the  human  race.  Only  he  whose  heart  has  been  thrilled 
with  admiration  for  your  impetuous  and  unyielding  valor  in  the 
thickest  of  the  fight,  can  appreciate  with  what  pride  I  recount  the 
brilliant  achievements  which  immortalize  you,  and  enrich  the  pages 
of  our  national  history.  Passing  by  the  earlier  but  not  less  signal 
triumphs  of  the  war  in  which  most  of  you  participated  and  in 
scribed  upon  your  banners  such  victories  as  Donelson  and  Shiloh, 
I  recur  to  your  campaigns,  sieges,  and  victories  that  challenge  the 
admiration  of  the  world  and  elicit  the  unwilling  applause  of  all 
Europe.  Turning  your  backs  upon  the  blood-bathed  heights  of 


198  REMINISCENCES  OF 

Vicksburg,  you  launched  into  a  region  swarming  with  enemies, 
fighting  your  way  and  marching,  without  adequate  supplies,  to 
answer  the  cry  for  succor  that  came  to  you  from  the  noble  but 
beleaguered  Army  of  Chattanooga.  Your  steel  next  flashed  among 
the  mountains  of  Tennessee,  and  your  weary  limbs  found  rest  be 
fore  the  embattled  heights  of  Missionary  Ridge,  and  there  with 
dauntless  courage  you  breasted  again  the  enemy's  destructive  fire, 
and  shared  with  your  comrades  of  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland 
the  glories  of  a  victory  than  which  no  soldier  can  boast  a  prouder. 
In  that  unexampled  campaign  of  vigilant  and  vigorous  warfare 
from  Chattanooga  to  Atlanta  you  freshened  your  laurels  at  Re- 
saca,  grappling  with  the  enemy  behind  his  works,  hurling  him 
back  dismayed  and  broken.  Pursuing  him  from  thence,  marking 
your  path  by  the  graves  of  fallen  comrades,  you  again  triumphed 
over  superior  numbers  at  Dallas,  fighting  your  way  from  there  to 
Kenesaw  Mountain  and  under  the  murderous  artillery  that  frowned 
from  its  rugged  heights;  with  a  tenacity  and  constancy  that  finds 
few  parallels  you  labored,  fought,  and  suffered  through  the  boiling 
rays  of  a  southern  midsummer  sun,  until  at  last  you  planted  your 
colors  upon  its  topmost  heights.  Again,  on  the  22d  of  July, 
1864,  rendered  memorable  through  all  time  for  the  terrible  strug 
gle  you  so  heroically  maintained  under  discouraging  disasters  and 
that  saddest  of  all  reflections,  the  loss  of  that  exemplary  soldier 
and  popular  leader,  the  lamented  McPherson,  your  matchless 
courage  turned  defeat  into  a  glorious  victory.  Ezra  Chapel  and 
Jonesboro  added  new  lustre  to  a  radiant  record,  the  latter  unbar 
ring  to  you  the  proud  Gate  City  of  the  South.  The  daring  of  a 
desperate  foe  in  thrusting  his  legion  northward  exposed  the  coun 
try  in  your  front,  and,  though  rivers,  swamps,  and  enemies  opposed, 
you  boldly  surmounted  every  obstacle,  beat  down  all  opposition, 
and  marched  onward  to  the  sea.  Without  any  act  to  dim  the 
brightness  of  your  historic  page,  the  world  rang  plaudits  where 
your  labors  and  struggles  culminated  at  Savannah,  and  the  old 
" Starry  Banner"  waved  once  more  over  the  wall  of  one  of  our 
proudest  cities  of  the  seaboard.  Scarce  a  breathing  spell  had 
passed  when  your  colors  faded  from  the  coast,  and  your  columns 
plunged  into  the  swamps  of  the  Carolinas.  The  suffering  you  en 
dured,  the  labors  you  performed,  and  the  successes  you  achieved 
in  those  morasses,  deemed  impassable,  form  a  creditable  episode 
in  the  history  of  the  war.  Pocataligo,  Salkahatchie,  Edisto, 
Branch ville,  Orangeburgh,  Columbia,  Bentonville,  Charleston,  and 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  199 

Raleigh  are  names  that  will  ever  be  suggestive  of  the  resistless 
sweep  of  your  columns  through  the  territory  that  cradled  and  nur 
tured,  and  from  whence  was  sent  forth  on  its  mission  of  crime, 
misery,  and  blood,  the  disturbing  and  disorganizing  spirits  of 
secession  and  rebellion. 

The  work  for  which  you  pledged  your  brave  hearts  and  brawny 
arms  to  the  Government  of  your  fathers  you  have  nobly  performed. 
You  are  seen  in  the  past,  gathering  through  the  gloom  that  envel 
oped  the  land,  rallying  as  the  guardian  of  man's  proudest  heritage, 
forgetting  the  thread  unwoven  in  the  loom,  quitting  the  anvil, 
abandoning  the  workshops,  to  vindicate  the  supremacy  of  the  laws 
and  the  authority  of  the  Constitution.  Four  years  have  you  strug 
gled  in  the  bloodiest  and  most  destructive  war  that  ever  drenched 
the  earth  with  human  gore;  step  by  step  you  have  borne  our  stan 
dard,  until  to-day,  over  every  fortress  and  arsenal  that  rebellion 
wrenched  from  us,  and  over  city,  town,  and  hamlet,  from  the  lakes 
to  the  gulf,  and  from  ocean  to  ocean,  proudly  floats  the  "  Starry 
Emblem"  of  our  national  unity  and  strength.  Your  rewards,  my 
comrades,  are  the  welcoming  plaudits  of  a  grateful  people,  the 
consciousness  that,  in  saving  the  Republic,  you  have  won  for 
your  country  renewed  respect  and  power  at  home  and  abroad; 
that,  in  the  exampled  era  of  growth  and  prosperity  that  dawns  with 
peace,  there  attaches  mightier  wealth  of  pride  and  glory  than  ever 
before  to  that  loved  boast,  "I  am  an  American  citizen."  In  re 
linquishing  the  implements  of  war  for  those  of  peace,  let  your  con 
duct,  which  was  that  of  warriors  in  time  of  war,  be  that  of  peace 
ful  citizens  in  time  of  peace.  Let  not  the  lustre  of  that  brighter 
name  you  have  won  as  soldiers  be  dimmed  by  any  improper  acts 
as  citizens,  but  as  time  rolls  on  let  your  record  grow  brighter  and 
brighter  still. 

JOHN  A.  LOGAN,  Major-General. 

When  the  last  good-bys  had  to  be  said,  heroes  of  many 
battles  wept  like  children,  feeling  that  they  would  probably 
meet  no  more  in  this  world.  Alas!  if  the  muster-roll  of  the 
Army  of  the  Tennessee  of  1865  were  called  to-day,  tears  would 
dim  the  eyes  of  the  few  survivors  who  would  answer  "Here!" 

Like  patriots  they  took  their  several  ways  and  in  a  few 
brief  weeks  the  thousands  who  had  followed  the  life  of  sol 
diers  laid  aside  the  accoutrements  of  war  and  took  up  the  im- 


200  REMINISCENCES   OF 

plements  of  peace,  dissolving  into  citizens  as  rapidly  as  they 
had  become  soldiers. 

At  home,  from  the  day  of  Lee's  surrender  there  was  con 
tinual  rejoicing  until  the  shock  of  Mr.  Lincoln's  assassination 
changed  it  to  mourning.  Then  there  was  vibration  between 
the  emotions  of  joy  over  peace  and  grief  over  the  sacrifice 
of  his  great  life.  Finally,  the  news  came  that  the  regiments 
raised  in  the  vicinity  of  Carbondale,  Illinois,  would  arrive 
within  a  few  days  of  each  other.  Then  all  was  activity  and 
bustle  to  make  suitable  preparations  for  welcoming  them 
home  again.  No  building  in  the  town  was  half  large  enough 
to  hold  the  people  or  spacious  enough  for  tables  upon  which 
to  spread  the  bounteous  repast  they  determined  to  lay  before 
the  returning  soldiers,  so  the  lovely  grove  heretofore  men 
tioned  was  selected.  Every  twig  or  branch  that  had  fallen, 
every  dead  leaf  and  unsightly  bit  of  rubbish  was  cleaned  away 
and  the  grass  swept,  leaving  a  lovely  green  sward  beneath 
the  spreading  boughs  of  the  majestic  oaks.  A  grand  stand 
was  erected  on  one  side,  from  which  welcoming  speeches  were 
to  be  made  by  the  hosts.  The  most  prominent  of  the  return 
ing  heroes  were  expected  to  tell  some  of  their  experiences  and 
give  expression  to  their  joy  that  peace  had  at  last  brought 
them  home.  Canopies  of  red,  white,  and  blue  were  thrown 
over  the  speakers  and  the  band-stands,  and  the  columns  that 
supported  them  were  wound  with  garlands,  the  whole  being 
beautiful  and  effective.  On  the  other  side  there  were  long 
tables  spread  with  spotless  linen,  china,  silver,  glass,  a  pro 
fusion  of  flowers,  and  everything  that  a  prolific  country  and 
an  abundant  harvest  could  produce.  After  the  music  and 
speeches  every  soldier  was  seated  at  these  tables  for  such  a 
feast  as  he  had  not  known  for  many  a  weary  day.  Every 
man  and  woman  in  the  town,  no  matter  how  proud  their  posi 
tion,  was  ready  to  wait  upon  them,  each  one  turning  into  as 
skilful  a  waiter  as  ever  served  at  Delmonico's.  With  smiles 
for  those  who  were  there  and  tears  for  those  who  were  not, 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  201 

they  made  their  return  as  pleasant  as  possible,  repeating  the 
same  welcome  for  the  various  commands  as  they  arrived. 

When  it  is  remembered  that  everything  that  was  cooked, 
the  decorations  and  all  the  work  done  was  accomplished  by 
loving  hands,  it  can  be  imagined  that  there  was  little  neces 
sity  for  gymnasiums,  Swedish  movements,  or  other  exercises 
of  which  we  hear  in  these  modern  days.  The  benevolent  had 
plenty  to  do  to  look  after  the  widows,  orphans,  and  unfortu 
nates,  and  ere  long  affairs  had  assumed  their  wonted  routine, 
each  drifting  into  the  channels  he  had  followed  before  volun 
teering. 

General  Logan  reached  home  on  the  28th  of  July,  1865, 
accompanied  by  two  members  of  his  staff.  He  brought  his 
horses,  camp  equipage,  and  two  colored  men  and  a  boy  about 
sixteen  years  old,  who  were  with  him  when  they  struck  the 
tents  in  Louisville  for  the  last  time.  He  did  not  have  the 
heart  to  turn  these  freedmen  adrift  without  employment, 
with  no  home  and  away  from  the  haunts  of  their  childhood, 
so  he  brought  them  home,  providing  for  them  until  he  could 
secure  them  something  to  do  and  a  chance  to  be  self-support 
ing.  " Boston,"  the  boy,  was  as  black  as  ebony.  He  had 
been  the  valet,  jockey,  and  petted  servant  of  a  sporting- 
master  who  was  killed  in  battle.  He  was  a  daring,  mischiev 
ous,  wiry  little  scamp,  with  many  monkey  instincts  and 
antics,  and  required  constant  watching.  He  was  a  born  gam 
bler  and  would  slip  out  and  gamble  with  the  dissolute  men 
about  the  town.  He  pretended  to  have  been  converted,  and 
joined  the  colored  Baptist  church,  and  together  with  a  num 
ber  of  colored  men  and  women  was  to  be  immersed  in  a  large 
pond  in  a  field  near  the  town.  Boston  wanted  us  to  attend; 
it  was  a  cold,  lowering  Sunday  afternoon  in  March.  We 
drove  out  and  sat  in  the  carriage  near  the  shore  on  the  oppo 
site  side  of  the  pond  from  where  they  had  tents  erected,  one 
for  the  women  and  one  for  the  men.  One  minister  went  to 
the  tent-door  and  escorted  the  candidates  for  baptism  down 


202  REMINISCENCES   OF 

to  the  steps  which  had  been  placed  at  the  edge  of  the  water, 
while  another  minister  led  them  one  by  one  quite  a  dis 
tance  toward  the  centre  of  the  pond.  When  the  water  was 
waist-deep,  the  minister  crossed  their  hands,  took  hold  of  the 
belt  around  their  waist  with  one  hand  while  with  the  other 
he  caught  them  by  the  back  of  the  neck  and  dipped  them  into 
the  water.  All  their  heads  were  tied  up  with  white  handker 
chiefs,  and  as  they  rose  out  of  the  water  they  were  so  fright 
ened  it  was  with  difficulty  that  they  could  walk  to  the  steps. 
One  thin  little  colored  girl  preceded  our  Boston.  She  was 
frightfully  nervous  and  screeched  as  loud  as  she  could  the 
moment  she  was  led  into  the  water,  and  as  the  minister  took 
hold  of  her  she  jerked  away  from  him,  and  went  plunging 
through  the  water  across  the  pond.  Boston  bolted  after  her, 
and  in  a  twinkling  the  impressive  ceremony  changed  into  the 
most  ludicrous  performance  one  could  have  imagined.  Bos 
ton  grabbed  her  around  the  waist,  lifted  her  up  in  his  arms, 
and  bore  her  triumphantly  to  the  women's  tent,  then  darted 
to  the  men's  tent,  tore  the  white  handkerchief  from  his  head, 
the  belt  from  around  his  waist,  dressed  himself,  and  fled  pre 
cipitately  from  the  place,  the  girl  following  on  behind.  The 
wild  singing  and  shouting  of  the  clergy  and  the  members  of 
the  church  was  not  sufficient  to  drown  the  laughter  and  jeer 
ing  of  the  curious  crowd. 

That  night,  when  Boston  reported  for  his  duties,  General 
Logan  began  to  scold  him  for  his  unseemly  behavior.  He  re 
plied:  "General,  I  saw  they  was  gwine  to  drown  that  girl, 
and  I  is  her  sweetheart  and  I  was  not  gwine  to  let  'em.  You 
wouldn't  yourself  stand  still  and  see  'em  drown  the  Missus. 
I  was  done  clean  'gusted  with  that  old  parson,  so  I  just  lit 
out." 

After  a  hopeless  struggle  with  him  for  months,  he  ran  away, 
and  the  last  we  heard  of  him  he  was  engaged  as  a  jockey  in 
Saint  Louis.  The  men  remained  with  us  for  some  months, 
but  returned  to  their  Southern  homes  and  were  both  conspic- 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  203 

uous  in  the  conflicts  between  the  colored  and  white  races  in 
the  early  days  of  the  reconstruction. 

On  the  3oth  of  July,  1865,  occurred  the  grand  welcoming 
of  the  returning  volunteers  at  Carbondale,  Jackson  County, 
Illinois.  For  weeks  our  home  was  a  hostelry  for  the  ac 
commodation  of  constantly  arriving  visitors  who  were  not 
satisfied  until  they  had  greeted  General  Logan  in  person. 
Carbondale  was  a  small  town  without  markets,  catering  estab 
lishments,  comfortable  hotels  or  competent  servants,  and  under 
such  circumstances,  it  was  not  an  easy  matter  to  entertain 
unexpected  guests  who  came  by  the  score.  In  my  happiness 
over  the  declaration  of  peace  and  General  Logan's  safe  return 
I  murmured  not,  and,  with  the  assistance  of  friends  who 
insisted  upon  aiding  me  as  a  labor  of  love,  we  so  managed 
that  it  was  around  well-laid,  bountifully  supplied  tables,  that 
we  listened  to  stories  of  the  trying  and  amusing  experiences 
of  the  four  years  of  the  Civil  War. 

Another  source  of  rejoicing  in  our  home  added  much  to 
our  happiness:  our  son,  John  A.  Logan,  Jr.,  was  born  July 
24,  1865,  and  was  from  the  very  hour  of  his  birth  so  bright 
and  handsome  as  to  attract  the  attention  of  every  one,  and 
to  us  evermore  a  blessing  beyond  compare. 

Early  in  September,  having  been  notified  by  the  depart 
ments  in  Washington  that  his  accounts  were  all  audited  and 
that  there  was  nothing  against  him  on  the  records,  General 
Logan  tendered  his  resignation,  as  he  was  unwilling  to  con 
tinue  on  the  pay-rolls  without  rendering  active  service.  He 
had  been  importuned  to  remain  in  the  service,  having  been 
offered  a  brigadier-general's  commission  in  the  regular  army, 
a  proffered  honor  which  he  highly  appreciated;  but  knowing 
so  well  his  restive  disposition,  he  feared  he  would  be  unhappy 
in  time  of  peace  to  be  confined  to  the  regulations  in  his  com 
ing  and  going,  and  declined  the  generous  offer.  About  that 
time  there  was  an  apprehension  that  we  might  have  trouble 
in  Mexico.  Every  one  looked  with  suspicion  upon  the  ap- 


204  REMINISCENCES  OF 

pearance  of  Maximilian  in  the  city  of  Mexico.  General 
Logan  was  requested  to  hold  himself  in  readiness  to  go  there 
as  United  States  minister,  should  it  be  necessary  to  send 
him,  and  but  for  the  discomfiture  and  the  melancholy  taking 
off  of  that  ill-fated  and  deluded  sovereign,  Maximilian,  Gen 
eral  Logan  would  probably  have  entered  the  diplomatic  serv 
ice.  He  had  no  taste  for  it,  however,  when  there  was  little 
probability  of  eventful  times.  Soon  after  he  was  requested 
to  accept  the  mission  to  Japan,  but  having  no  desire  to  be 
come  isolated  from  his  own  country,  he  also  declined  that 
position,  expecting  to  again  return  to  the  profession  of  the  law. 
During  the  winter  he  was  called  to  Washington  to  attend 
to  some  business  affairs  of  his  own  and  of  some  friends.  He 
went  thither,  therefore,  and  while  waiting  for  the  settlement 
of  these  matters  with  the  government  he  became  much 
interested  in  the  reconstruction  and  readjustment  of  national 
questions  then  under  discussion.  At  the  State  convention 
held  in  May,  1866,  he  was  nominated  by  acclamation  for 
Congressman-at-large,  the  State  being  entitled  to  an  additional 
member  who  was  chosen  at  large  until  the  legislature  assem 
bled  to  redistrict  the  State.  He  could  not  well  refuse  to  ac 
cept,  notwithstanding  the  fact  that  he  had  not  intended  to 
again  enter  politics.  His  majority  was  overwhelming.  March 
4,  1867,  he  again  took  his  seat  as  a  member  of  Congress, 
after  an  absence  of  six  years,  having  resigned  his  seat  to  enter 
the  army  in  August,  1861.  Bringing  to  the  position  so  much 
renown,  he  was  immediately  assigned  to  the  most  important 
committees  of  the  House,  and  made  chairman  of  the  mili 
tary  committee  which  had  before  it  the  difficult  task  of  pro 
viding  for  the  reduction  of  the  army  to  a  peace  basis.  With 
his  impetuous  disposition  and  intense  nature,  it  was  impos 
sible  for  General  Logan  to  be  an  indifferent  or  passive 
member;  hence  he  plunged  into  all  the  vexing  details  of 
the  most  knotty  questions,  working  day  and  night  that  he 
might  understand  them  thoroughly  and  be  able  to  do  that 


A  SOLDIER'S   WIFE  205 

which  would  result  in  the  greatest  good  to  the  greatest  num 
ber.  Every  day,  during  the  discussion  of  the  problems  of 
reconstruction,  he  was  confronted  by  questions  which  he  felt 
were  vital  to  the  perpetuity  of  the  government.  He  appre 
ciated  the  fact  that  if  mistakes  were  made  by  the  party  in 
power,  they  would  recoil  in  the  future  or  spring  up  like  Ban- 
quo's  ghost  to  torment  posterity. 

We  took  up  our  residence  in  the  old  Willard  Hotel,  which 
had  been  the  leading  hotel  of  Washington  during  the  war. 
It  was  of  fearful  and  wonderful  construction,  the  Fourteenth 
Street  side  having  been  built  on  to  some  buildings  fronting 
on  Pennsylvania  Avenue.  The  floors  of  the  Fourteenth  Street 
addition  of  each  story  were  three  or  four  feet  higher  than 
those  of  the  Pennsylvania  Avenue  buildings;  the  ceilings  were 
low,  the  halls  dismal,  and  the  dining-room  cheerless.  From 
long  occupancy  and  unsanitary  sewerage  it  was  anything 
but  an  agreeable  abode.  The  house  was,  however,  full  of 
guests.  Among  them  were  General  Francis  E.  Spinner, 
United  States  treasurer,  whose  autograph  on  the  greenbacks 
was  so  famous  all  over  the  world,  and  his  interesting  family; 
Senator  Simon  Cameron,  of  Pennsylvania,  who  was  Mr.  Lin 
coln's  Secretary  of  War,  and  his  wife  and  daughter;  Senator 
Harris  and  his  family;  the  eccentric  bachelor,  Senator  Salis 
bury,  and  others. 

A  number  of  members  of  Congress  and  their  families  were 
also  in  the  house.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  James  G.  Elaine  with  their 
four  children  had  a  suite  near  ours.  When  Mrs.  Elaine  and  I 
were  out  making  calls,  Emmons,  Alice,  and  little  J.  G.  Elaine, 
Jr.,  and  Dollie  and  baby  John  A.  Logan,  Jr.,  had  fine  times 
impersonating  different  distinguished  men  and  women  of  whom 
they  had  heard  their  elders  talk.  Frequently  we  returned 
home  to  find  confusion  reigning  supreme  in  our  rooms,  the 
children  having  amused  themselves  by  dressing  up  in  their 
parents'  clothes,  playing  grown-up  people.  Impromptu  par 
ties  were  organized,  and  the  other  children  in  the  house  in- 


206  REMINISCENCES   OF 

vited  to  partake  of  the  banquets  they  served  through  the 
indulgence  of  Hughes,  the  head  waiter,  who  was  so  devoted 
to  General  Logan  and  Mr.  Elaine  that  their  children  could 
have  whatever  they  wanted.  Emmons  presided  over  their 
affairs  with  much  suavity  of  manner  inherited  from  his 
knightly  father. 

There  were  frequent  exciting  discussions  at  the  dinner- 
table.  The  members  and  senators  and  prominent  people  as 
sembling  at  that  hour  could  not  resist  the  temptation  to  con 
tinue  their  controversies. 

Mr.  Elaine's  election  as  speaker,  his  appointment  of  the 
chairman  and  members  of  important  committees,  were  mat 
ters  of  as  much  importance  as  they  are  to-day,  and  probably 
greater  because  of  the  momentous  questions  that  had  to  be 
settled  after  the  close  of  the  Civil  War. 

With  all  of  his  diplomacy  and  fascinating  manners,  Mr 
Elaine  did  not  escape  bitter  criticism  on  the  announcement 
of  the  chairmanships.  Personal  disappointments  were  many 
and  not  concealed  by  aspirants  for  these  important  positions. 
It  would  have  saved  speakers  of  the  past  much  vexation  of 
soul  if  the  present  method  of  shifting  the  responsibility  of 
selecting  the  committees  and  chairmen  to  a  committee  of  the 
House,  as  is  done  in  these  progressive  times,  had  then  been  in 
vogue. 

After  the  departure  of  General  Logan  for  the  rendezvous  of 
the  troops  at  Cairo,  Illinois,  in  1861,  we  had  decided  that  I 
had  better  reside  in  Carbondale,  Jackson  County,  Illinois,  on 
the  Illinois  Central  Railroad,  where  I  could  be  in  communica 
tion  by  telegraph  with  the  then  Colonel  Logan,  of  the  3ist  Illi 
nois,  or  join  him,  if  necessary,  by  rail.  We  had  formerly 
lived  twenty-two  miles  east  of  the  railroad  and,  in  conse 
quence,  suffered  great  inconvenience  on  account  of  the  over 
land  travel  necessary  to  reach  a  railroad.  The  uncertainty 
of  the  movement  of  the  troops  would  have  kept  me  anxious 
for  my  husband's  welfare,  and  besides  this  the  families  of 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  207 

the  members  of  his  regiment  depended  upon  me  for  informa 
tion  in  regard  to  their  soldier  husbands,  sons,  and  fathers. 

The  present  generation  is  perfectly  ignorant  of  the  lack  of 
facilities  for  communication  and  rapid  transportation  to  and 
from  the  army  in  1861  and  1862.  We  received  the  mail, 
part  of  the  time,  once  a  day.  The  newspapers  were  tri 
weekly,  and  they  contained  very  meagre  reports  of  the  dire 
ful  things  that  were  going  on  between  the  Union  and  Confed 
erate  armies.  The  telegraphic  reports  were  censored  so  closely 
by  the  authorities  that  they  did  not  dare  to  give  out  anything 
like  full  accounts  of  battle  engagements  and  casualties  of  the 
war.  Consequently,  we  did  little  else  except  to  wait  impa 
tiently  for  news.  Our  daughter,  now  Mrs.  Mary  Logan 
Tucker,  was  in  her  second  year,  and  was  my  constant  com 
panion.  I  was  afraid  to  leave  her  with  any  one,  and  therefore 
took  her  with  me  wherever  I  went,  whether  on  an  errand  of 
mercy  to  the  unfortunate  families  of  the  soldiers  at  the  front, 
or  to  attend  to  the  business  affairs  which  my  husband  had 
left  in  my  care  when  he  dropped  everything  and  went  into 
the  army.  The  citizens  of  that  part  of  the  country  were  so 
divided  in  their  sympathies  between  the  North  and  the  South 
that  it  caused  many  unpleasant  situations  and  embarrassing 
meetings.  Those  whose  friends  were  in  the  army  of  the  Union 
were  naturally  sensitive  and  could  not  bear  to  hear  their  hus 
bands,  fathers,  and  sons  accused  of  being  Lincoln  hirelings, 
negro-lovers,  and  many  other  opprobrious  names  which  were 
applied  to  them,  while  those  in  sympathy  with  the  South 
were  just  as  resentful  over  being  called  rebels,  traitors,  and 
numerous  other  names.  Mr.  Lincoln  was  held  directly  re 
sponsible  for  all  the  calamities  of  the  war,  the  secessionists 
and  their  friends  insisting  that  he  caused  the  conflict  of  armies 
by  his  demand  for  the  abolition  of  slavery.  After  three  long 
years  I  knew  nothing  but  that  we  were  solicitous  for  the  un 
fortunate  by  whom  we  were  surrounded. 

When   peace   was  declared  there  was  universal  rejoicing 


208  REMINISCENCES  OF 

and  excitement.  We  knew  then  that  the  soldiers  and  sailors 
would  soon  be  returning  to  their  homes  and  their  friends,  as 
they  would  be  disbanded  as  soon  as  possible  after  the  sur 
render  of  Lee's  army.  General  Logan  was  in  command  of 
the  Army  of  the  Tennessee  which,  after  the  grand  review,  was 
mustered  out  of  the  service  at  Louisville,  Kentucky.  The 
families  of  the  returning  volunteers  were  overjoyed  at  the 
thought  of  having  their  loved  ones  with  them  again. 

There  was  a  class,  however,  who  pretended  to  be  very  much 
troubled  for  fear  the  troops  would  prove  a  disturbing  element 
as  soon  as  they  had  recovered  from  the  excitement  of  meeting 
those  they  had  left  behind  them.  Some  went  so  far  as  to 
say  they  feared  that  they  would  form  marauding  parties  who 
would  be  a  terror  in  the  vicinity  where  they  resided,  and  would 
go  about  and  take  possession  of  whatever  they  wanted  with 
out  regard  to  law,  order,  or  the  rights  of  others.  This  was  an 
unfounded  fear,  because  there  never  could  have  been  a  more 
orderly  return  to  peaceful  pursuits.  To  a  man,  the  soldiers 
and  sailors  seemed  to  realize  that  they  had  been  engaged  in 
a  war  for  the  preservation  of  the  Union,  and  when  that  had 
been  accomplished  they  had  nothing  to  do  but  to  return  to 
their  homes  and  resume  their  various  vocations  which  they 
had  laid  down  when  they  volunteered.  They  soon  became 
law-abiding,  industrious  citizens  of  the  Union  they  had  saved. 
There  was  no  such  thing  as  violation  of  the  law,  visits  of  ven 
geance,  or  any  species  of  unlawful,  riotous  conduct  on  the  part 
of  any  of  these  men.  In  thirty  days  from  the  time  they  were 
discharged,  many  of  them  had  begun  their  work  for  the  sup 
port  of  themselves  and  their  families.  Legions  of  them  en 
gaged  in  all  kinds  of  industrial,  commercial,  professional,  and 
other  pursuits  necessary  for  the  preservation  of  life  and  lib 
erty.  In  a  most  exciting  political  campaign  there  were  few 
personal  conflicts  or  settlements  of  old  scores  on  account  of 
unjust  and  outrageous  acts  perpetrated  during  the  warfare 
between  the  North  and  the  South.  Veterans  met  veterans 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  209 

and  extended  the  right  hand  of  fellowship  to  each  other. 
There  were  reunions,  reconciliations,  and  happy  meetings  be 
tween  the  bitterest  of  foes. 

Naturally  they  differed  much  in  political  affiliations,  some 
being  most  ardent  Republicans,  while  others  returned  to  the 
Democratic  party,  to  which  they  had  belonged  before  they 
entered  the  service.  Before  going  into  the  army  General 
Logan  had  acted  with  the  Democratic  party,  and  left  it  when 
he  had  to  choose  between  his  party  and  his  country.  On  ac 
count  of  the  change  of  principles  of  that  party  during  the 
war,  he  felt  he  had  no  desire  to  again  become  an  advocate  of 
the  principles  of  Democracy,  but  would  continue  his  adher 
ence  to  the  Republican  party,  whose  platform  advocated  the 
principles  for  which  he  and  thousands  of  others  had  stood 
during  over  four  years  of  blood  and  strife. 

He  did  not  intend  to  enter  politics  again,  desiring  to  resume 
the  practice  of  law,  but  this  was  not  to  be.  In  the  very  first 
campaign  after  his  return  home  from  Louisville,  Kentucky, 
where  he  mustered  out  the  entire  Army  of  the  Tennessee, 
our  home  was  crowded  with  men  from  all  over  the  country, 
insisting  that  he  accept  from  the  Republican  party  nomina 
tions  for  political  positions.  There  were  hordes  and  hordes  of 
ex-Union  soldiers  from  almost  every  State  north  of  the 
Mason  and  Dixon  line,  who  were  untiring  in  their  efforts  to 
secure  the  adherence  of  the  most  distinguished  men  of  the 
army.  The  assassination  of  Mr.  Lincoln  had  left  such  a  deep 
spirit  of  resentment  that  Republicans  were  busy  in  securing 
the  support  and  advocacy  of  the  ablest  men  who  had  been  in 
the  army,  to  fit  elective  official  positions. 

We  kept  open  house  and  entertained  legions  of  people, 
which  was  no  small  thing  to  do  at  that  day  and  time,  with 
the  inconveniences  of  poor  markets  and  independent  em 
ployees  upon  whom  we  were  obliged  to  depend.  It  would  be 
an  incredible  story  were  I  to  describe  graphically  the  chase 
for  chickens,  fresh  meats,  fish,  and  edibles  considered  fit  to 


210  REMINISCENCES  OF 

be  placed  before  these  numerous  guests.  It  was  the  old,  old 
story  of  choicest  fruits,  vegetables,  poultry,  and  other  good 
things  being  shipped  to  the  higher-priced  markets,  and  the 
cities  and  residences  in  the  rural  districts  having  a  great 
scramble  to  get  anything  worth  being  put  upon  the  table. 
As  I  look  back  upon  it  now,  I  think  we  performed  miracles 
in  the  line  of  satisfying  hungry  men  and  women  who  joined 
in  the  petitions  to  General  Logan  to  accept  the  various  nomi 
nations  for  official  positions.  Illinois  had  been  represented 
since  the  census  of  1860  by  a  Congressman-at-large,  as  they 
had  not  redistricted  the  State.  Hon.  S.  W.  Molton,  a  most 
estimable  man,  was  a  candidate  for  re-election  as  a  member 
of  Congress  in  1866,  but,  the  soldiers  being  in  the  majority  in 
the  Republican  party,  they  demanded  that  General  Logan 
should  succeed  Mr.  Molton  in  Congress  because  they  antici 
pated  serious  trouble  over  the  various  questions  that  should 
follow  the  close  of  the  war  and  the  assassination  of  Mr.  Lincoln. 
General  Logan  talked  to  me  very  seriously  on  the  subject,  and 
I  felt  intensely  interested  in  what  he  might  do,  as  he  had  sent 
his  resignation  to  Washington  as  soon  as  he  got  his  affairs 
properly  adjusted,  but  had  not  yet  embarked  in  the  legal  pro 
fession,  which  it  was  his  intention  and  ambition  to  do.  Mr. 
Molton  was  a  loyal  friend  of  General  Logan's  and  insisted  that 
he  would  withdraw  in  favor  of  the  general  if  the  general 
would  consent  to  allow  his  name  to  be  used.  Without  wait 
ing  for  his  answer,  the  State  convention  convened  and  General 
Logan  was  nominated  by  acclamation  on  receipt  of  his  reply. 
But  for  the  fact  that  they  insisted  it  was  necessary  for  the 
success  of  the  Republican  party  for  him  to  make  the  race,  he 
would  not  have  done  so.  As  soon  as  the  convention  was  over 
and  he  had  signified  his  acceptance,  then  began  an  inde 
scribable  scramble  for  him  to  make  promises  to  almost  every 
county  in  the  State  to  speak  in  the  interest  of  the  State 
ticket. 
The  months  of  June  and  July  we  had  spent  in  our  head- 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  211 

quarters  in  SaintPaul,  Minnesota.  Our  party  consisted  of  Eliza 
Logan  Wood,  the  great  tragedian,  Katie  Logan,  who  was  subse 
quently  our  adopted  daughter,  General  Logan,  myself,  our 
daughter  Dollie,  and  baby  son,  John  A.  Logan,  Jr.  We  made 
Saint  Paul  our  headquarters  and  went  to  all  the  important  lakes 
in  Minnesota,  having  a  very  delightful  time  fishing.  The  gen 
eral  had  had  no  such  respite  from  constant  care  and  anxiety 
since  he  entered  the  army  in  1861.  He  entered  into  all  our 
plans  for  recreation  and  rest  with  the  enthusiasm  of  a  boy. 
When  we  visited  the  lakes  we  had  our  boats  and  went  out 
in  the  morning,  returning  in  the  afternoon  with  boats  laden 
with  beautiful  fish,  all  of  us  having  participated  in  the  catch. 
It  can  be  said  to  have  been  one  of  the  most  delightful  sum 
mers  of  our  lives. 

Upon  the  announcement  of  the  general's  nomination  for 
Congress,  we  returned  to  Chicago  and  the  general  immediately 
entered  upon  the  campaign.  I  remained  at  Joliet,  Illinois, 
to  visit  cousins  of  General  Logan,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Henry  Fish, 
Mrs.  Fish  being  a  daughter  of  Joel  Manning,  many  years 
auditor  of  the  Illinois  Canal,  and  one  of  the  most  splendid 
men  of  his  time.  In  the  midst  of  enjoying  their  hospitality 
I  received  a  telegram  telling  me  of  the  death  of  my  mother  at 
Marion,  Illinois.  A  young  man  by  the  name  of  Henry  Hop 
per,  of  that  town,  having  gone  to  a  Democratic  convention 
at  Cairo,  Illinois,  was  exposed  to  and  attacked  by  cholera. 
He  arrived  home  at  noon  and  was  dead  at  night.  His  wife 
followed  him  a  few  hours  later;  her  mother,  with  whom  they 
lived,  was  seized  and  having  no  one  to  aid  her  she  sent  for 
my  mother,  who  went  to  her  and  remained  until  after  her 
death,  after  which  she  secured  some  one  to  take  charge  of  the 
body.  Returning  home,  she  was  not  at  all  alarmed  about 
herself,  as  she  was  fearless  of  danger  or  disease  and  only  very 
glad  that  she  had  been  able  to  perform  the  last  offices  of  nurse 
and  physician  for  the  poor  woman.  Before  the  dawn  of  an 
other  morning,  August  24,  1866,  she  herself  was  a  corpse. 


212  REMINISCENCES  OF 

My  father,  in  great  grief  and  bewilderment,  had  directed 
that  telegrams  be  sent  to  the  Republican  headquarters  at  the 
old  Tremont  House  in  Chicago.  They  arrived  after  we  had 
left  the  city,  and  were  laid  on  a  table  in  the  committee-room 
where  they  stayed  until  some  one  came  in  who  felt  that  they 
should  be  opened.  Finding  the  contents  so  sad,  they  tried 
to  find  General  Logan,  who  immediately  thereafter  telegraphed 
me  the  overwhelming  news.  It  was,  up  to  that  time,  the 
greatest  sorrow  of  my  life,  as  my  mother  and  I  had  been  com 
panions  from  my  childhood.  I  appreciated  her  great  mental 
ity  and  remarkable  executive  ability.  I  knew  that  my  father 
in  his  wonted  dependence  upon  her  was  perfectly  undone, 
so  I  lost  no  time  in  joining  him,  and  to  my  dying  day  shall 
I  remember  his  anguish  and  the  desolation  of  our  beloved  old 
home.  There  were  five  children  of  the  thirteen  brothers  and 
sisters  at  home,  and  my  dear  father  to  whom  I  had  to  give 
my  immediate  attention.  Consequently,  the  remainder  of 
the  year  was  a  very  busy  one  for  me,  as  I  felt  my  first  duty 
was  to  my  husband,  and,  of  course,  there  were  many  occa 
sions  when  he  needed  me  to  accompany  him.  I  made  it  a 
point  to  look  after  him  carefully,  for  after  he  made  long 
speeches  in  the  open  air  he  was  always  completely  exhausted. 
I  was  ever  glad  to  be  with  him  to  give  him  my  personal 
attention  and  to  receive  his  friends  and  guests  while  he  took 
a  few  hours'  rest. 

Travelling  and  canvassing  in  those  days  were  a  very  differ 
ent  proposition  from  the  present  day.  There  were  not  so 
many  railroads  in  any  State  as  there  are  to-day,  and  various 
points  had  to  be  reached  by  driving  overland,  and  not  always 
upon  the  best  of  roads.  This  necessitated  the  spending  of 
much  time  in  covering  the  distance  from  point  to  point,  and 
as  these  campaigns  are  always  conducted  in  the  heat  of  sum 
mer  and  the  inclemency  of  fall  rains,  great  fatigue  and  expo 
sure  were  inevitable.  The  result  of  the  campaign  was  most 
flattering  to  General  Logan,  as  he  received  practically  the 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  213 

largest  number  of  votes  that  had  ever  been  cast  up  to  that 
date  for  any  candidate. 

Early  in  December  General  Logan  went  to  Washington  to 
attend  to  some  matters  before  the  departments  and  to  settle 
the  accounts  of  a  number  of  officers  under  his  command  who 
had  not  been  able  to  get  a  complete  settlement  with  the  Gov 
ernment  when  the  troops  were  mustered  out  of  the  field.  My 
father's  family  and  my  own  two  children  requiring  my  atten 
tion,  we  decided  that  I  had  better  remain  at  our  home  in 
Carbondale,  Illinois,  until  the  general  should  take  his  seat 
in  Congress,  March  4,  1867. 

The  people  were  so  relieved  by  the  close  of  the  war  and 
the  prospects  of  great  prosperity  that,  although  I  was  in 
mourning  myself,  I  found  it  far  less  depressing  than  it  had 
been  the  preceding  winter  when  the  end  of  the  war  was  so 
uncertain.  It  was  interesting  to  see  the  activity  of  the  men 
who  had  been  in  the  service,  who  were  so  anxious  to  take  up 
some  sort  of  peaceful  pursuit  which  promised  success  for 
them.  The  elections  having  resulted  in  such  stupendous 
majorities  for  the  Republican  party,  no  one  doubted  that  in 
a  few  brief  months  all  the  vexatious  problems  arising  from 
the  war  would  be  settled,  and  that  this  country  would  enter 
upon  an  era  of  progress  and  prosperity. 


CHAPTER  IX 

ORGANIZATION  OF  THE  GRAND  ARMY  OF  THE  REPUBLIC  —  HISTORY 
OF  THE  MOVEMENT  —  DECLARATION  OF  PRINCIPLES  —  GENERAL 
LOGAN  ELECTED  COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF  —  SUBSIDIARY  SOCIE 
TIES  —  DISAFFECTION  OF  PRESIDENT  JOHNSON  —  TRANSFER  OF 
BOOTH'S  REMAINS  TO  BALTIMORE  —  JOHNSON'S  ATTEMPT  TO 
REMOVE  STANTON  —  IMPEACHMENT  OF  THE  PRESIDENT  — 
LOGAN  ONE  OF  THE  HOUSE  MANAGERS  —  SOCIAL  WASHINGTON 
DURING  THE  WINTER,  1867-8  —  DICKENS'S  READINGS  —  RE 
CEPTION  AT  THE  GRANTS'  —  ELECTION  OF  PRESIDENT  GRANT  — 

COUNTING  THE  ELECTORAL  VOTE  —  GOLF  AX  AND  SENATOR 
WADE  —  THE  WINTER  OF  1868-9  —  STATE  DINNERS  AT  THE 
WHITE  HOUSE  —  ORIGIN  OF  DECORATION  DAY  DUE  TO  GENERAL 
LOGAN 

A  WONDERFUL  movement  was  started  early  in  1866  to  carry 
out  the  organization  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  the 
history  of  which  is  as  follows : 

To  an  Illinoisan  belongs  the  credit  of  conceiving  the  grand 
est  organization  ever  thought  out  by  man  for  the  perpet 
uation  of  "  Fraternity,  Charity,  and  Loyalty."  Reverend 
William  J.  Rutledge,  while  chaplain  of  the  i4th  Illinois  Infan 
try,  was  the  tent-mate  of  Major  B.  F.  Stephenson,  the  sur 
geon  of  the  regiment,  to  whom  he  was  devotedly  attached. 
In  the  weary  hours  of  their  marching  and  bivouac,  Chaplain 
Rutledge  had  many  conferences  with  Major  Stephenson. 
Among  the  topics  which  they  discussed  was  the  future  of  the 
million  and  more  of  men  who  would  soon  lay  down  their  arms 
and  be  scattered  all  over  the  Union,  the  chaplain  insisting  that 
they  would  naturally  desire  some  form  of  association  by  which 
they  could  perpetuate  their  experiences  as  soldiers  of  the 
Union,  and  at  the  same  time  cultivate  such  a  spirit  of  loyalty 
that  a  rebellion  would  be  impossible  in  this  country  in  the 

future. 

214 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  215 

Major  Stephenson  was  deeply  impressed  by  this  suggestion, 
and  appreciated  the  fact  that  an  organization  that  would  in 
clude  all  honorably  discharged  soldiers  and  sailors  and  the 
gallant  officers  who  commanded  them,  whose  fundamental 
principles  were  fraternity,  loyalty,  and  charity,  would  be  far- 
reaching  in  its  benefits,  the  important  point  being  to  for 
mulate  a  ritual  that  would  serve  the  high  and  noble  purposes 
they  had  in  mind  for  such  an  organization.  After  a  long 
correspondence  Chaplain  Rutledge  went  to  Springfield  to  con 
sult  with  Major  Stephenson  and  to  read  the  rough  draught 
that  Major  Stephenson  had  prepared.  In  March,  1866,  a 
conference  was  held  in  that  city.  To  this  conference,  under 
bonds  of  secrecy,  they  invited  Colonel  J.  M.  Snyder,  Doctor 
James  Hamilton,  Major  Robert  M.  Woods,  Major  Robert 
Allen,  Colonel  Martin  Flood,  Colonel  Daniel  Grass,  Colonel 
Edward  Prince,  Captain  John  S.  Phelps,  Captain  John  A. 
Lightfoot,  Colonel  B.  F.  Smith,  Major  A.  A.  North,  Captain 
Henry  F.  Howe,  and  Lieutenant  B.  F.  Hawkes  (since  colonel). 

Captain  John  S.  Phelps  was  so  enthusiastic  over  the  prop 
osition  that  he  worked  untiringly  with  Major  Stephenson 
in  perfecting  the  ritual,  charter,  and  by-laws  for  the  order. 
It  is  possible  that  the  name  was  suggested  by  an  organiza 
tion  that  bore  the  name  of  "The  Grand  Army  of  Progress" 
which  was  then  in  existence.  The  printing  of  the  ritual  was 
guarded  so  sacredly  that  the  committee  took  it  to  Decatur, 
Illinois,  so  that  they  might  put  it  into  the  hands  of  reliable 
friends  whom  they  knew  would  join  them,  and  who  would  not 
allow  the  matter  to  get  out  until  they  were  ready  to  urge 
the  formation  of  posts.  Seeing  the  magnificent  future  of  the 
order,  the  friends  in  Decatur  determined  to  apply  to  Major 
Stephenson  for  a  charter,  and  through  him  to  organize  the 
first  post  in  that  city.  The  6th  of  April,  1866,  Major  Ste- 
pherison,  by  virtue  of  his  authority  as  departmental  com 
mander  of  Illinois,  having  been  so  elected  at  the  first  meet 
ing  in  Springfield,  went  to  Decatur  and,  assisted  by  Captain 


216  REMINISCENCES  OF 

Phelps,  organized  the  first  post  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the 
Republic,  the  charter  members  being  Captain  M.  F.  Kana, 
Major  G.  R.  Steele,  Captain  George  H.  Cunning,  General 
Isaac  C.  Pugh,  Major  John  H.  Hale,  Captain  J.  T.  Bishop, 
Captain  Christian  Riebsame,  Doctor  J.  W.  Routh,  Doctor 
B.  F.  Sibley,  Isaac  N.  Coltrin,  Sergeant  J.  M.  Prior,  and 
Lieutenant  Aquilla  Toland,  all  of  whom  had  been  in  the 
service  of  their  country  and  were  keenly  alive  to  the  im 
portance  of  the  order  as  is  shown  by  the  Declaration  of 
Principles  expressed  in  the  constitution  of  the  Grand  Army 
of  the  Republic,  in  the  following  heroic  language: 

DECLARATION  OF  PRINCIPLES 

Article  I.  Section  i.  The  soldiers  of  the  Volunteer  Army  of 
the  United  States  during  the  Rebellion  of  1861-5,  actuated  by  the 
impulses  and  convictions  of  patriotism  and  of  eternal  right,  and 
combined  in  the  strong  bands  of  fellowship  and  unity  by  the  toils, 
the  dangers,  and  the  victories  of  a  long  and  vigorously  waged  war, 
feel  themselves  called  upon  to  declare  in  definite  form  of  words 
and  in  determined  co-operative  action  those  principles  and  rules 
which  should  guide  the  earnest  patriot,  the  enlightened  freedman, 
and  the  Christian  citizen  in  his  course  of  action,  and  to  agree  upon 
those  plans  and  laws  which  should  govern  them  in  a  united  and 
systematic  working  method  with  which,  in  some  measure,  shall  be 
effected  the  preservation  of  the  grand  results  of  the  war,  the  fruits 
of  their  labor  and  toil,  so  as  to  benefit  the  deserving  and  worthy. 

Section  2.  The  results  which  are  designed  to  be  accomplished 
by  this  organization  are  as  follows: 

i st.  The  preservation  of  those  kind  and  fraternal  feelings  which 
have  bound  together,  with  the  strong  chords  of  love  and  affection, 
the  comrades  in  arms  of  many  battles,  sieges,  and  marches. 

2d.  To  make  these  ties  available  in  works  and  ties  of  kind 
ness,  of  favor  and  material  aid  to  those  in  need  of  assistance. 

3d.  To  make  provision  where  it  is  not  already  done  for  the 
support,  care,  and  education  of  soldiers'  orphans,  and  for  the  main 
tenance  of  the  widows  of  deceased  soldiers. 

4th.  For  the  protection  and  assistance  of  disabled  soldiers, 
whether  disabled  by  wounds,  sickness,  old  age,  or  misfortune. 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  217 

5th.  For  the  establishment  and  defence  of  the  late  soldiery  of 
the  United  States,  morally,  socially,  and  politically,  with  a  view 
to  inculcate  a  proper  appreciation  of  their  services  to  the  country, 
and  to  a  recognition  of  such  services  and  claims  by  the  American 
people. 

At  a  subsequent  national  encampment,  an  additional  sec 
tion  to  Article  I  was  added: 

Section  6.  The  maintenance  of  true  allegiance  to  the  United 
States  of  America  based  upon  paramount  respect  for  and  fidelity 
to  the  national  Constitution  and  laws  manifested  by  the  discoun 
tenancing  of  whatever  may  tend  to  weaken  loyalty,  incite  to  insur 
rection,  treason,  or  rebellion,  or  in  any  manner  impair  the  efficiency 
and  permanency  of  our  free  institutions,  together  with  a  defence 
of  universal  liberty,  equal  right,  and  justice  to  all  men. 

Following  the  organization  of  the  posts  at  Decatur  and 
Springfield,  a  call  was  made  for  a  grand  convention  at 
Springfield  for  the  launching  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Re 
public.  It  was  held  July  12,  1866,  and  was  largely  attended 
by  ex-Union  officers  and  soldiers.  This  convention  gave  its 
unqualified  indorsement  to  the  plans  formulated  by  Major 
Stephenson  and  his  coworkers.  They  provided  for  the 
first  national  encampment,  which  was  held  at  Indianapolis, 
November  20,  1866.  General  S.  A.  Hurlbut  was  elected 
commander-in-chief .  The  senior  and  junior  vice-commanders, 
subordinate  officers,  and  a  council  of  administration  were 
elected,  and  the  order  formally  launched  in  its  great  work. 

For  some  reason  the  national  encampment  was  not  called 
in  1867,  but  met  in  Philadelphia  January  15,  1868,  when 
General  John  A.  Logan  was  elected  commander-in-chief.  As 
was  his  wont,  he  threw  his  whole  soul  into  the  work  and, 
after  a  conference  with  the  officers  then  elected  and  the 
council  of  administration,  proceeded  to  encourage  the  extend 
ing  of  the  order  and  increasing  its  good  works.  He  estab 
lished  national  headquarters  in  Washington,  and  drew  around 
him  an  able  staff. 


2i8  REMINISCENCES  OF 

General  Logan  was  thrice  elected  commander-in-chief,  and 
no  service  of  his  whole  life  was  more  satisfactory  than  that 
given  in  behalf  of  his  comrades  at  arms.  The  destinies  of 
the  Grand  Army  have  been  presided  over  by  the  truest  and 
the  best.  From  its  very  inception  the  Grand  Army  of  the 
Republic  was  destined  to  a  great  and  noble  work  and  to 
supply  a  place  in  the  desires  of  patriotic  men  that  no  other 
had  been  able  to  do.  The  provision  eschewing  politics  and 
religion  and  providing  for  the  banding  together  under  the 
most  sacred  secret  obligations  to  work  together  for  the  de 
fence  of  their  country,  for  the  alleviation  of  each  other's  woes, 
for  the  uplifting  and  betterment  of  each  other  and  those 
dependent  upon  them,  touched  a  responsive  chord  in  the  heart 
of  every  soldier,  who  knew  by  experience  that  every  man  who 
signed  such  an  obligation  would  be  true  to  it.  The  plan  for 
the  organization  of  posts  in  every  hamlet,  town,  and  city, 
and  to  unite  them  in  departments  in  every  State,  and  once  a 
year  to  meet  in  a  grand  national  encampment,  would  insure 
the  perpetuity  of  their  comradeship.  The  post  would  sup 
ply  the  place  of  the  soldier's  regiment;  the  convention  of 
the  department  of  the  State  his  corps;  and  the  national  en 
campment  that  of  the  army  to  which  he  belonged.  At  the 
camp-fires  of  these  meetings  he  could  live  over  again  scenes 
which  were  burned  into  his  memory  by  the  heat  of  battle. 
He  would  have  a  resource  in  every  dilemma  that  might  over 
take  him  through  life,  and  friends  to  succor  him  in  sickness 
and  misfortune  and  who  would  follow  him  to  the  grave  when 
he  was  finally  mustered  out.  The  ritual  appealed  so  strongly 
to  the  men  that  to-day,  nearly  fifty  years  after  the  war,  the 
Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  is  many  thousands  strong.  It 
has  borne  upon  its  rolls  more  than  300,000  ex-Union  soldiers. 
It  has  expended  thousands  of  dollars  in  charity  for  its  mem 
bers  and  their  families.  To  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Repub 
lic  more  than  to  any  other  order  do  the  unfortunate  look  for 
aid.  If  a  comrade  is  sick,  he  sends  to  his  post  for  sympathy 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  219 

and  help.  If  he  seeks  employment,  he  can  rely  upon  his 
comrades  to  vouch  for  him.  He  knows  that  when  the  end 
comes  he  will  be  laid  to  rest  by  the  members  of  his  post,  and 
that  a  stone  will  mark  his  last  resting-place,  and  that  it  will 
never  be  reared  in  a  potter's  field.  He  knows  that  each  re 
curring  3oth  of  May  flowers  will  be  strewn  above  the  low 
green  mounds  where  sleep  the  loyal  dead. 

It  is  a  curious  fact  that  the  genius  who  was  the  author  of 
so  magnificent  an  organization  should  have  been  in  his  last 
days  one  of  the  very  unfortunates  for  whom  he  was  so  solici 
tous  in  his  days  of  prosperity.  Overtaken  by  misfortune  and 
an  ill-starred  fate,  Major  Stephenson,  after  years  of  discour 
agement,  died  and  was  buried  at  Rock  Creek,  Menard  County, 
Illinois,  August  30,  1871,  though  scarcely  at  the  zenith  of  his 
manhood.  August  29,  1882,  Estill  Post  71,  Grand  Army  of 
the  Republic,  Department  of  Illinois,  removed  Major  Ste- 
phenson's  remains  to  Petersburgh,  Illinois,  and  reinterred  them 
among  the  soldiers  of  Rose  Hill  Cemetery  with  impressive 
ceremonies,  thus  rescuing  him  from  the  oblivion  of  an  un 
marked  grave.  A  few  years  ago  the  national  organization 
of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  erected  a  monument 
to  his  memory  in  Washington. 

In  their  stupendous  work  of  succoring  the  suffering,  com 
forting  the  living,  caring  for  the  dying  and  the  dead,  the  Grand 
Army  of  the  Republic  has  far  exceeded  the  work  of  any  other 
organization  of  the  same  age  the  world  has  ever  known.  In 
the  cultivation  of  a  spirit  of  patriotism  it  has  accomplished 
more  than  has  been  done  by  any  other  methods  ever 
adopted.  The  rush  to  enlist  for  the  Spanish-American  War 
and  for  service  in  the  Philippines  attests  the  patriotism  of 
all  American  citizens  from  whatever  section  or  nationality 
they  may  have  sprung.  This  influence  in  the  retrospect 
doubtless  inspired  the  organization  of  the  Sons  and  Daugh 
ters  of  the  American  Revolution  and  other  kindred  societies. 
It  is  probably  not  too  much  to  say  that  had  there  been  a 


220  REMINISCENCES  OF 

Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  at  the  close  of  the  War  of  the 
Revolution,  there  never  would  have  been  any  War  of  the 
Rebellion.  Fraternal  ties  in  the  interest  of  patriotism  would 
have  prevented  the  growth  of  sectionalism. 

Realizing  that  a  time  would  come  when  the  last  ex-Union 
soldier  would  lie  down  to  peaceful  slumber,  a  wise  provision 
has  been  made  for  the  perpetuation  of  the  spirit  and  prin 
ciples  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  by  the  formation 
of  the  Society  of  Sons  of  Veterans,  who  are  pledged: 

To  keep  green  the  memories  of  our  fathers,  and  their  services  for 
the  maintenance  of  the  Union.  To  aid  the  members  of  the  Grand 
Army  of  the  Republic  in  caring  for  their  helpless  and  disabled  vet 
erans.  To  extend  aid  and  protection  to  the  widows  and  orphans. 
To  perpetuate  the  memory  in  history  of  their  heroic  deeds  and  the 
proper  observance  of  Memorial  Day.  To  inculcate  patriotism  and 
love  of  country,  not  only  among  our  membership,  but  among  all 
the  people  of  the  land,  and  to  spread  and  sustain  the  doctrines  of 
equal  rights,  universal  liberty,  and  justice  to  all. 

Thus  we  see  another  result  of  the  inculcation  of  the  prin 
ciples  of  patriotic  devotion  to  the  land  of  our  nativity  or  adop 
tion,  and  can  rest  secure  for  the  eternal  preservation  of  a 
government  that  guarantees  to  its  people  the  protection  of 
life,  liberty,  and  the  pursuit  of  happiness.  In  executing  their 
deeds  of  local  charity  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  found 
they  must  call  to  their  assistance  the  good  and  loyal  women. 
There  were  innumerable  cases  where  only  a  woman  could 
minister  to  the  unfortunate;  hence  almost  every  post  has 
auxiliaries  in  the  persons  of  noble  women  who  do  as  much  as 
the  members  of  the  posts  for  the  helpless  and  indigent.  In 
1883,  at  the  national  encampment  of  the  Grand  Army,  held 
at  Denver,  Colorado,  such  glorious  women  as  Florence  Barker, 
of  Massachusetts;  Kate  B.  Sherwood,  of  Ohio;  Annie  Wit- 
tenmyer,  of  Pennsylvania;  Mrs.  L.  A.  Turner,  of  Massachu 
setts;  Clara  Barton;  and  a  score  of  others  organized  the 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  221 

Woman's  Relief  Corps  as  auxiliary  to  the  Grand  Army  of 
the  Republic.  Since  the  time  of  the  organization  of  this 
corps,  the  parent  society  has  had  to  look  well  to  its  honors, 
as  these  noble  women  have  raised  and  distributed  their  hun 
dreds  of  thousands  of  dollars;  built  homes  for  the  indigent 
widows,  mothers,  and  daughters  of  ex-soldiers,  and  in  all 
respects  have  performed  heroic  benevolent  service.  They 
have  borne  upon  their  rolls  the  names  of  gifted  and  famous 
women,  and  perhaps  have  had  the  largest  membership  of 
any  benevolent  society  ever  organized. 

Their  management  of  the  enormous  sums  of  money  coming 
into  the  treasuries  of  the  national  and  local  corps  has  com 
manded  the  highest  encomiums  from  the  ablest  financiers  of 
the  country,  assuring  the  continuation  of  this  great  society 
of  patriotic  women,  who  in  turn  will  be  succeeded  by  the 
Daughters  of  Veterans,  their  worthy  auxiliary. 

Soon  after  Vice-President  Johnson  had  assumed  the  reins 
of  government  murmurings  were  heard  from  every  quarter 
of  his  disaffection  toward  the  reconstruction  plans  of  the 
party  in  power.  It  was  feared  by  many  that,  upon  the  prin 
ciple  that  " blood  is  thicker  than  water,"  Mr.  Johnson  would 
allow  his  Southern  blood  to  influence  him  to  such  an  extent 
that  he  would  surrender  everything  that  had  been  won  to 
the  parties  late  in  rebellion,  and  for  whom,  notwithstanding 
their  persecution  of  himself  and  family  during  the  war,  he 
had  suddenly  conceived  the  most  intense  infatuation. 

I  have  vivid  recollections  of  the  stirring  events  which  oc 
curred  during  the  session  of  Congress  which  convened  De 
cember,  1867,  at  which  time  there  were  grave  apprehensions 
over  reconstruction.  The  political  rivalries  of  the  summer 
had  intensified  the  partisan  feeling.  States  lately  in  rebel 
lion,  seeing  their  advantage  in  the  sympathy  of  the  admin 
istration,  were  clamorous  for  rehabilitation  in  all  their  for 
feited  rights.  The  domination  of  the  ignorant  colored  people, 
and  their  unfitness  for  a  proper  use  of  hitherto  unknown  priv- 


222  REMINISCENCES  OF 

ileges;  their  pliancy,  in  many  instances,  in  the  hands  of  un 
scrupulous  men;  the  resentment  and  ugly  spirit  of  the  native 
Southerners  toward  all  who  came  among  them  to  make  their 
homes  in  the  Southern  States;  the  absence  of  slaves  to  do 
their  bidding,  and  the  galling  necessity  that  they  must  work 
like  the  hated  "  Northern  mudsills,"  made  the  situation  deplor 
able.  It  was  a  serious  problem  how  these  seemingly  irrec 
oncilable  elements  were  to  be  harmonized  and  made  to  dwell 
in  peace  together,  until  Congress  should  pass  a  general  law 
under  which  the  seceded  States  could  again  take  part  in  the 
Government. 

Disagreement  waxed  hotter  and  hotter  between  the  Repub 
lican  party  and  President  Johnson  over  the  policy  adopted 
by  Mr.  Johnson,  and  a  serious  conflict  ensued.  Congress,  then 
Republican  by  a  large  majority,  preferred  articles  of  impeach 
ment  against  Johnson,  and  spent  much  time  in  an  unsuccessful 
effort  to  convict  him.  During  these  long,  eventful  months 
Mr.  Johnson,  in  a  spirit  of  resentment,  as  much  as  of  clemency 
toward  the  criminals,  pardoned  a  great  many  who  had  been 
convicted  of  various  treasonable  offences,  reaching  a  climax 
during  the  last  few  days  of  his  administration  by  the  par 
doning  of  Spangler  and  Arnold,  conspirators  in  the  assassina 
tion  of  Mr.  Lincoln,  who  were  then  confined  on  the  Dry 
Tortugas.  The  remains  of  Henry  Wirz,  the  keeper  of  Ander- 
sonville  prison,  were  surrendered  to  his  friend  Louis  Schade, 
who  caused  them  to  be  interred  at  Mount  Olivet  Cemetery, 
in  the  District  of  Columbia,  the  3d  of  March,  1869.  They 
were  exhumed  from  the  ground  floor  of  Warehouse  No.  2  of 
the  arsenal. 

About  the  same  date  the  family  of  John  Wilkes  Booth  se 
cured  an  order  from  President  Johnson  for  the  surrender  of 
Booth's  body  through  his  brother  Edwin  Booth,  another 
famous  tragedian  of  this  illustrious  family  of  actors.  John 
T.  Ford,  owner  of  Ford's  Theatre,  who  had  suffered  much  on 
account  of  his  supposed  complicity  in  the  assassination  of 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  223 

Mr.  Lincoln,  but  had  succeeded  in  vindicating  himself  with 
out  any  break  in  his  friendship  with  the  Booths,  aided  materi 
ally  in  bringing  about  the  interview  between  Edwin  Booth 
and  President  Johnson  which  resulted  in  the  President  ma 
king  the  order  that  the  remains  should  be  given  to  Edwin 
Booth's  representatives.  Mr.  Booth  was  then  playing  an 
engagement  in  Baltimore,  and,  while  he  had  never  visited 
Washington,  nor  could  be  induced  to  play  at  any  of  the 
theatres  at  the  capital  after  his  brother's  mad  act,  came 
quickly  to  carry  out  his  desire  of  recovering  his  brother's  body 
and  to  inter  it  in  the  burial  lot  of  the  Booth  family,  in  Green- 
mount  Cemetery,  Baltimore,  Maryland.  On  what  was  to  him 
a  melancholy  day  he  waited  in  the  front  room  of  the  underta 
king  establishment  of  Harvey  &  Marr,  then  on  F  Street  in  the 
city  of  Washington,  while  a  Baltimore  undertaker,  who  had 
performed  the  service  of  undertaker  for  the  Booths  many  times 
previously,  Mr.  Jacob  H.  Weaver,  and  R.  F.  Harvey  went  to 
the  arsenal,  armed  with  the  President's  order  for  the  body. 
The  officer  in  charge  promptly  obeyed,  causing  a  detail  of 
soldiers  to  assist  in  exhuming  and  transporting  the  body  to 
the  wagon  provided  by  Mr.  Harvey,  to  whose  establishment 
it  was  taken,  where  it  was  identified  by  Edwin  Booth,  and 
subsequently  taken  to  Baltimore  and  buried  privately  beside 
his  kindred.  So  carefully  was  the  transfer  made,  and  so  dis 
creet  was  every  one  who  had  to  be  intrusted  with  the  matter, 
that  even  the  alert  newspaper  reporters  failed  to  get  a  hint 
of  the  disinterment  and  removal  of  the  body  of  the  assassin 
until  some  time  afterward.  That  these  are  the  facts  there  is 
no  doubt,  though  there  is  no  record  of  the  matter,  unless  Mr. 
Weaver  or  his  descendants  have  one,  but  up  to  this  time  none 
has  ever  been  made  public.  Mr.  Harvey  died  some  years  ago, 
but  unfortunately  the  records  of  his  business  could  never  be 
found  by  his  son,  his  successor.  Public  feeling  at  that  time 
was  so  strong  against  every  one  connected  with  the  conspir 
acy  and  the  assassination  that  Mr.  Johnson  was  execrated 


224  REMINISCENCES  OF 

for  these  acts.  Had  it  been  known  at  the  time,  there  might 
have  been  violent  opposition  to  the  execution  of  his  orders 
for  the  surrendering  of  Booth's  body.  Fortunately  time  has 
softened  the  bitterness  and  cooled  the  passions  of  the  people, 
and  to-day  there  would  be  no  opposition  to  the  surrendering 
of  the  lifeless  body  of  so  great  a  criminal  as  John  Wilkes 
Booth  to  those  dear  to  him  by  the  ties  of  nature  after  he  had 
paid  the  penalty  of  his  crime.  There  is  probably  not  a  single 
survivor  of  that  appalling  conspiracy,  or  any  one  living  who 
participated  in  the  capture,  trial,  conviction,  and  punishment 
of  the  conspirators,  or  the  restoration  of  their  bodies  to  their 
relatives  and  friends. 

Mr.  Johnson  conceived  the  idea  that  Mr.  Stanton,  Secre 
tary  of  War  under  Lincoln,  was  inimical  to  the  consummation 
of  his  designs,  and  decided  that  he  would  remove  Stanton 
from  his  position.  The  party  resented  this  step  indignantly, 
and  insisted  on  Mr.  Stanton  remaining.  The  President  as 
vigorously  demanded  that  he  should  vacate  his  office,  until 
the  matter  became  so  serious  that  the  President  threatened 
forcible  ejectment.  At  the  request  of  his  party  Mr.  Stanton 
remained  continuously  in  the  War  Department,  having  a  bed 
placed  in  his  private  office  and  his  meals  served  there  also, 
lest,  during  his  absence  after  office  hours,  the  President 
should  install  General  Lorenzo  Thomas  as  Secretary  of  War, 
as  he  threatened  to  do.  General  Grant,  then  General  of  the 
Army,  was  consulted  as  to  calling  out  the  troops,  but,  hap 
pily,  he  advised  against  such  a  step.  At  that  time  General 
Logan  was  commander-in-chief  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the 
Republic,  and,  realizing  the  delicacy  of  the  situation,  he  called 
the  members  of  the  organization  together  secretly,  there  being 
many  ex-Union  officers  and  soldiers  employed  in  the  depart 
ments  in  Washington  at  that  time.  He  formed  battalions 
and  placed  them  under  the  command  of  efficient  officers. 
Sentinels  in  citizens'  dress  were  on  duty  every  hour  of  the 
day  and  night,  especially  in  the  vicinity  of  the  White  House 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  225 

and  the  old  War  Department  building.  Countersigns  were 
given  and  signals  agreed  upon  for  an  emergency,  should  it 
be  necessary  to  protect  Mr.  Stanton.  General  Logan  occu 
pied  a  cot  beside  Secretary  Stanton  in  the  War  Department, 
so  that  he  could  summon  the  Grand  Army  at  a  moment's 
notice. 

During  the  imbroglio  between  Mr.  Johnson  and  Congress, 
the  greatest  excitement  since  the  assassination  of  President 
Lincoln  prevailed.  Every  day  startling  announcements  were 
made  of  the  President's  overt  acts,  and  of  the  resentment  of 
Congress.  The  climax  was  reached  when  Brevet  Brigadier- 
General  Lorenzo  Thomas  was  arrested  on  the  charge  of  at 
tempted  usurpation  of  authority  that  did  not  belong  to  him 
as  adjutant-general  of  the  War  Department.  He  was  re 
leased  on  a  bond  of  five  thousand  dollars,  signed  by  a  Mr. 
George  R.  Hall  and  Elias  A.  Eliason.  President  Johnson 
irritated  Congress  further  by  sending  in  the  name  of  General 
Lorenzo  Thomas  for  Lieutenant- General.  He  was  not  con 
firmed. 

The  warfare  continued  until  articles  of  impeachment  of 
President  Johnson  were  prepared  and  presented  in  the  House 
of  Representatives.  General  Logan  being  chosen  one  of  the 
managers  on  the  part  of  the  House,  he  was  wholly  engrossed 
with  the  case  for  many  weeks,  scarcely  leaving  our  rooms 
except  to  attend  the  sessions  of  the  House,  and,  although  they 
were  unsuccessful,  General  Logan  demonstrated  his  great  abil 
ity  as  lawyer  and  statesman,  and  has  left  on  record  an  unan 
swerable  argument  for  the  prosecution.  I  was  deeply  inter 
ested  in  everything  transpiring,  and  spent  many  hours  of  the 
day  and  night  hunting  up  authorities,  marking  paragraphs  in 
law-reports  and  the  newspapers  which  had  any  bearing  on 
impeachment  cases.  This  work,  in  addition  to  the  care  of 
my  two  children,  receiving  calls,  returning  visits,  accepting 
and  declining  invitations  kept  me  busy.  I  was,  however,  very 
happy,  as  I  enjoyed  the  interesting  people  who  came  as  visit- 


226  REMINISCENCES  OF 

ors  and  those  who  were  temporary  or  permanent  residents 
of  the  capital. 

During  the  winter  and  spring  the  political  excitement  that 
invariably  precedes  a  Presidential  campaign  grew  to  a  white 
heat,  the  Republican  party  almost  unanimously  desiring  Gen 
eral  Grant  as  the  nominee  for  the  Presidency.  The  assembling 
of  the  national  convention,  the  presenting  of  General  Grant's 
name  by  General  Logan,  and  Grant's  unanimous  nomination 
by  the  convention,  with  Schuyler  Colfax  as  Vice-President, 
were  brief  affairs.  With  the  overwhelming  majority  of  the 
Republican  party  north  of  the  Mason  and  Dixon  line  at  that 
time,  it  would  be  superfluous  to  add  that  they  were  both 
elected  at  the  November  election  of  1868. 

Socially  the  winter  of  1867  and  1868  was  as  brilliant  as 
possible  under  the  circumstances.  Mr.  Johnson's  family  were 
much  out  of  health,  and,  though  his  charming  daughters, 
Mrs.  Stover  and  Mrs.  Patterson,  did  all  in  their  power,  they 
were  unable  to  dispel  the  gloom  that  ever  overhangs  a  dis 
cordant  administration.  With  the  executive  out  of  harmony 
with  his  party,  it  made  it  doubly  hard  for  the  cabinet  to  keep 
up  social  good  feeling,  notwithstanding  the  fact  that  Secre 
taries  Seward,  McCulloch,  Browning,  Randall,  Welles,  and 
General  Grant,  as  General  of  the  Army,  gave  the  regulation 
receptions  and  dinners.  They  were  magnificent  affairs,  and 
under  serene  political  skies  would  have  been  happy  events. 
Many  of  the  private  entertainments  were  on  a  grand 
scale. 

Senator  and  Mrs.  Pomeroy,  of  Kansas,  gave  delightful  par 
ties,  dinners,  and  receptions,  as  did  also  General  and  Mrs. 
Butler.  One  magnificent  party  given  by  General  and  Mrs. 
Butler  in  their  home  on  the  corner  of  I  and  Fifteenth  Streets 
on  the  occasion  of  the  debut  of  their  daughter,  Miss  Blanche, 
has  scarcely  been  rivalled  by  the  superb  affairs  of  later  years. 
The  house  was  decorated  profusely  with  the  rarest  flowers 
of  the  season.  The  soulless,  scentless  camellias  were  then 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  227 

the  fad.  Thousands  of  these  flowers,  whose  petals  will  not 
bear  the  slightest  touch,  were  arranged  in  every  conceivable 
shape,  while  ferns  and  palms  made  the  whole  house  a  bower. 
Everybody  of  any  distinction  was  there,  and  was  loath  to 
leave  when  the  wee  sma'  hours  announced  the  near  approach 
of  the  dawn  of  another  day. 

Mr.  Sumner  gave  many  of  his  superb  dinners  where  deli 
cate  viands  lost  their  flavor  in  comparison  with  the  "  feast  of 
reason  and  flow  of  soul"  all  enjoyed  who  sat  at  his  board. 
It  is  a  melancholy  thought  that  the  march  of  time  necessi 
tates  the  removal  of  these  historic  houses.  The  dumb  walls 
have  not  rehearsed  for  preservation  the  many  occasions  when, 
around  Mr.  Sumner's  table,  the  most  distinguished  and  cul 
tured  men  and  women  of  this  and  other  lands  have  discussed 
the  absorbing  questions  of  the  day.  Under  a  recent  arrange 
ment  by  capitalists  to  erect  a  magnificent  hotel  on  the  grounds 
where  once  stood  the  Arlington,  a  conglomerate  combination 
of  the  historic  houses  once  the  homes  of  Sumner,  Reverdy 
Johnson,  and  Hon.  James  A.  Harlan,  who  was  Mr.  Lincoln's 
Secretary  of  the  Interior  and  later  senator  from  Iowa,  these 
houses  have  been  torn  down  and  very  soon  these  edifices 
and  their  illustrious  occupants  will  be  known  no  more. 

Mr.  Hooper,  of  Massachusetts,  who  lived  in  a  house  on  the 
corner  of  H  and  Fifteenth  Streets,  which  has  been  sup 
planted  by  the  Hotel  Shoreham,  also  gave  many  delightful 
dinners,  his  inseparable  friend,  Mr.  Sumner,  usually  being  one 
of  the  guests.  I  remember  once,  at  a  dinner  given  by  General 
and  Mrs.  Butler,  to  have  had  the  honor  of  Mr.  Sumner's  es 
cort  to  the  table,  and  shall  ever  recall  it  as  one  of  the  most 
delightful  dinners  of  my  life,  though  I  have  long  since  forgot 
ten  all  about  what  we  had  to  eat.  So  charming  was  Mr. 
Sumner  in  conversation  that  the  three  hours  we  sat  at  the 
table  in  those  days  slipped  by  all  too  quickly. 

February  i,  1868,  Dickens  came  to  Washington  to  give 
readings  from  his  own  inimitable  writings.  There  was  not  a 


228  REMINISCENCES  OF 

suitable  auditorium  in  the  city  at  that  time,  and  Mr.  Dolby, 
agent  for  Dickens,  could  only  secure  old  Carroll  Hall,  which 
was  formerly  on  F  Street,  between  Ninth  and  Tenth  Streets. 
Mr.  Quimby,  of  Detroit,  Michigan,  a  devoted  friend  of  Gen 
eral  Logan,  invited  the  general  and  myself  to  accompany 
him  for  the  series.  They  were  a  rare  treat.  Notwithstanding 
Mr.  Dickens's  monotonous  style  of  reading,  the  innate  drollery 
of  the  man,  manifested  in  his  intonations  and  gestures,  made 
his  readings  very  interesting.  Beginning  February  6  with 
" Doctor  Marigold,"  and  the  trial  scene  from  "Pickwick,"  he 
also  read  extracts  from  " Nicholas  Nickleby,"  "Old  Curi 
osity  Shop,"  "Martin  Chuzzlewit,"  "Dombey  and  Son"  and 
"The  Christmas  Carol,"  using  precisely  the  same  intonations 
for  every  character,  whether  pathetic  or  comic. 

During  his  stay  he  was  entertained  by  Charles  Sum- 
ner  and  many  other  distinguished  people,  enjoying  particu 
larly  walking  about  the  city  at  night  with  Captain  Kelly, 
Charles  Sumner,  and  Mr.  Stanton.  He  was  the  guest  of  Sir 
Edward  Thornton,  the  English  minister,  who  had  succeeded 
Sir  Frederick  Bruce  on  the  death  of  that  illustrious  diplomat. 
Dickens  carried  away,  as  a  result  of  his  readings  in  America, 
thirteen  thousand  dollars,  then  considered  a  fabulous  sum. 
At  the  time  of  his  first  visit,  1847,  ne  nad  given  much  offence 
to  the  people  of  this  country  by  his  criticisms  of  America  and 
Americans,  and  by  his  drastic  description  in  "Martin  Chuz 
zlewit"  of  Cairo,  Illinois,  and  the  swamps  of  that  section, 
which,  he  declared,  caused  even  the  frogs  to  shake  with  the 
ague. 

It  is  a  curious  coincidence  that  his  son  should  have  come 
to  the  United  States  so  lately  to  deliver  lectures,  and  that  he 
should  have  been  invited  to  Cairo,  Illinois,  in  order  to  coun 
teract,  even  at  this  late  date,  the  impression  which  "Martin 
Chuzzlewit"  had  created  of  Cairo.  He  was  royally  enter 
tained  in  that  city,  and  subsequently  addressed  a  letter  to 
the  mayor  that  did  him  great  credit.  Unfortunately,  the 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  229 

brilliant  son  of  a  brilliant  father  died  in  New  York  at  the  close 
of  his  tour. 

It  is  not  too  much  to  say  that  the  prima  donnas,  actresses, 
and  actors  of  that  time  were  greater  artistes  than  those  of  to 
day.  The  operas  were  finer,  and  the  plays  which  came  un 
der  the  head  of  legitimate  drama  were  of  a  higher  order  than 
those  presented  in  these  latter  days.  Washington  was  favored 
by  the  engagements  of  Adelina  Patti,  Brignoli,  Ritter,  Cellini, 
Boetti,  and  Herr  Hermanus.  Ole  Bull  gave  two  concerts  dur 
ing  the  winter.  Parepa  Rosa,  cantatrice,  gave  two  grand 
concerts  in  Metezrott  Hall  during  January.  Mrs.  Scott  Sid- 
dons,  granddaughter  of  the  great  Siddons,  appeared  at  the 
National  with  a  fine  company  in  Shakespeare's  plays.  Kate 
Bateman,  John  Owen,  Sothern,  and  many  other  celebrated 
actors  and  actresses  made  the  amusements  for  the  winter 
delightful,  the  theatres  being  crowded  every  night. 

General  and  Mrs.  Grant  were  the  recipients  of  much  atten 
tion;  you  met  them  everywhere.  General  John  A.  Rawlins, 
General  Dent,  Mrs.  Grant's  brother,  General  Badeau — later 
General  Grant's  biographer — General  Comstock,  General  Hor 
ace  Porter,  General  0.  E.  Babcock,  all  members  of  General 
Grant's  staff,  often  accompanied  the  general.  General  Grant's 
friends  had  presented  to  him  the  house  on  I  Street,  owned 
and  occupied  by  the  late  Matthew  Emery.  The  large  par 
lors  of  that  palatial  mansion  were  inadequate  to  accommodate 
the  numbers  who  were  eager  to  pay  their  respects  at  every 
recurrent  reception  day  of  Mrs.  Grant.  All  their  children 
were  at  home  then  and  the  survivors  of  that  time  remember 
the  charming  household.  With  General  and  Mrs.  Grant  in 
the  centre,  Fred,  the  eldest  son  and  the  most  like  his  illustrious 
father,  Ulysses,  Jr.,  Nellie,  with  her  sweet  face,  her  long  hair 
hanging  down  her  back,  and  her  beautiful  eyes  as  gentle  as 
those  of  a  gazelle,  and  Jesse,  the  youngest,  they  are  immor 
talized  in  the  painting  by  Cogswell,  known  as  "Grant  and 
His  Family." 


230  REMINISCENCES  OF 

In  the  Grant  home  on  I  Street,  I  witnessed  one  historic 
gathering  which  will  ever  be  most  vivid  in  my  mind.  After 
the  nomination  of  Grant  and  Colfax  at  Chicago,  the  com 
mittee  appointed  to  wait  upon  them  and  notify  them  of  their 
nomination  was  composed  of  J.  R.  Hawley  of  Connecticut, 
Lewis  Barker  of  Maine,  C.  N.  Riottet  of  Texas,  Willard  War 
ner  of  Alabama,  J.  M.  Hedrik  of  Iowa,  John  Evans  of 
Colorado,  S.  M.  Cullom  of  Illinois,  R.  T.  Van  Horn  of  Mis 
souri,  J.  K.  Dubois  of  Illinois,  T.  L.  Tullock  of  Virginia, 
J.  W.  Holden  of  North  Carolina,  T.  F.  Lee  of  North  Car 
olina,  W.  C.  Goodloe  of  Kentucky,  Valentine  Dill  of  Ar 
kansas,  J.  H.  Harris  of  North  Carolina,  A.  McDonald  of 
Arkansas,  B.  F.  Rice  of  Arkansas,  H.  A.  Pierce  of  Virginia, 
and  others.  They  came  to  Washington,  and  it  was  arranged 
that  Mr.  Colfax  should  go  to  General  Grant's  house,  and 
that  the  committee  should  call  upon  them  there.  Mrs. 
Grant  kindly  advised  a  few  special  friends,  inviting  them  to 
be  present.  General  Logan  and  I  were  among  the  fortunate 
number.  We  reached  the  Grant  home  about  eight  o'clock, 
or  a  little  after.  Mr.  Colfax,  his  distinguished  mother,  Mrs. 
Matthews,  and  his  half-sister,  Miss  Matthews,  arrived  soon 
after,  followed  by  Mr.  E.  B.  Washburn,  Mr.  Halsey,  of  New 
Jersey,  and  General  Grant's  staff — Generals  Rawlins,  Bab- 
cock,  Dent,  Badeau,  and  Colonel  Comstock. 

After  exchanging  greetings  and  pleasantries,  General  Grant 
was  informed  that  the  committee  had  arrived.  He  and  Mr. 
Colfax  moved  to  the  rear  of  the  parlor,  and  stood  side  by  side 
while  the  committee  was  presented.  Mrs.  Grant  and  her 
venerable  father,  Mr.  Dent,  and  Mrs.  and  Miss  Matthews 
were  not  far  from  them.  After  the  presentation,  Governor 
Hawley,  with  all  the  power  of  his  eloquence  in  his  palmy  days, 
made  the  speech  on  behalf  of  the  committee,  informing  Gen 
eral  Grant  and  Mr.  Colfax  that  they  had  been  chosen  the 
standard-bearers  of  the  Republican  party  for  the  campaign. 
General  Grant  had  the  same  unpretentious  bearing,  so  char- 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  231 

acteristic  of  him  under  all  circumstances.  His  reply  was  very 
brief,  and  that  with  much  embarrassment,  leaving  Mr.  Col- 
fax,  a  fine  speaker,  to  make  the  speech  of  acceptance  for  the 
nominees  of  the  Republican  party.  The  guests  who  were 
present  stood  about  the  group  with  rapt  attention,  feeling  it 
a  great  privilege  to  have  been  present  at  such  a  ceremony. 
After  it  was  over  the  party  was  invited  into  the  dining-room 
where  refreshments  were  served,  and  the  company  dispersed. 
Mrs.  Grant  was  so  cordial  and  unassuming,  and  received  her 
guests  with  such  simplicity  of  manner  that  she  won  all  hearts. 
Every  one  went  away  quite  as  ready  to  be  her  champion  as 
that  of  her  husband,  their  chieftain. 

While  writing  the  names  of  the  committee  and  the  guests 
present  that  I  remember,  I  am  overwhelmed  with  the  melan 
choly  thought  that  so  few  remain  of  the  conspicuous  figures  of 
that  occasion. 

The  campaign  of  1868  was  probably  the  most  enthusiastic 
of  any  since  1860.  The  ex-Union  soldiers  were  everywhere 
wild  with  delight  over  the  nomination  of  General  Grant  as 
the  leader  of  the  party.  Every  political  demonstration  was 
participated  in  by  them.  Flags,  banners,  patriotic  music 
rendered  by  glee  clubs  and  brass  bands  were  the  order  of  the 
day.  The  well-worn  uniforms  of  the  soldiers  were  donned  for 
all  such  occasions,  and  it  was  not  surprising  that  the  Novem 
ber  election  witnessed  the  largest  majorities  ever  polled  by 
a  party,  nor  that  General  Grant  and  Schuyler  Colfax  were 
elected  overwhelmingly. 

When  Congress  assembled  December  i,  1868,  there  was 
general  rejoicing,  because  it  was  thought  there  would  be  little 
trouble  over  reconstruction  and  other  vexatious  problems. 
The  South  felt  that  so  magnanimous  a  conqueror  as  General 
Grant  had  shown  himself  would  be  their  friend  under  the  se 
vere  trials  through  which  they  must  pass  before  they  could 
again  become  a  part  and  parcel  of  the  compact  they  had 
tried  to  dissolve.  You  heard  no  mutterings  from  any  quarter. 


232  REMINISCENCES  OF 

Congress  felt  sure  that,  now  the  die  was  cast,  Mr.  Johnson 
would  not  attempt  further  arbitrary  action,  but  would  prob 
ably  finish  his  term  in  a  quiet  way.  He  gratified  himself  and 
vented  his  spleen  on  Congress  for  their  attempted  impeach 
ment  by  pardoning  every  one  he  could,  especially  those  who 
had  been  debarred  from  political  rights  because  of  participa 
tion  in  the  rebellion.  His  proclamation  covered  such  cases 
as  those  of  Jefferson  Davis,  Slidell,  Mason,  Mann,  and  other 
exiles  who  hastened  to  return  to  the  United  States  after  hav 
ing  sought  refuge  across  the  seas. 

He  closed  his  career  with  a  "  Farewell  Address,"  in  which 
he  arraigned  all  who  opposed  him,  and  lauded  himself  in  a 
most  remarkable  manner.  After  Congress  reassembled,  the 
Tenure  of  Office  bill  was  repealed  in  time  for  Grant  to  make 
such  changes  as  he  thought  important. 

Reconstructive  legislation  continued,  many  of  the  States 
wishing  to  come  back  into  the  Union  that  they  might  reas- 
sume  their  relations  to  the  Government,  and  have  representa 
tives  in  both  Houses  of  Congress;  so,  while  they  deemed  Mr. 
Johnson  powerless  for  harm,  they  pressed  the  work,  well 
knowing  that  the  new  Congress,  who  would  take  their  seats 
after  the  4th  of  March,  1869,  would  be  so  largely  of  one  party 
that  there  might  be  delay  in  adjusting  these  questions.  The 
opposition,  recognizing  this  fact,  in  most  cases  acquiesced. 
At  no  time  in  the  history  of  the  Government  have  there  been 
abler  men  in  Congress  than  there  were  then.  Among  the 
senators  were  Sumner,  Wade,  Chandler,  Morton,  Fessenden, 
Conkling,  Morgan,  Sherman,  Morrill,  Voorhees,  Trumbull, 
Anthony,  and  Wilson.  In  the  House  were  Garfield,  Coif  ax, 
Butler,  Brooks,  Bingham,  Elaine,  Shellabarger,  Wilson,  Allison, 
Cullom,  Logan,  Ames,  Hooper,  Washburne,  Boutwell,  Ran 
dall,  and  Voorhees.  Such  men  were  earnest,  thoughtful,  patri 
otic  and  keenly  alive  to  the  interests  of  the  country.  They 
allowed  nothing  to  pass  that  was  in  any  sense  questionable. 

February  10,  1869,  was  a  memorable  day.     It  was  gloomy 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  233 

and  disagreeable,  but  that  had  no  influence  on  the  multitude 
that  gathered  at  the  Capitol  to  witness  the  counting  of  the 
electoral  vote  which  was  to  declare  Grant  and  Colfax  Presi 
dent  and  Vice-President  of  the  United  States.  Senator  Wade, 
of  Ohio,  vice-president  of  the  Senate,  and  Mr.  Colfax,  then 
speaker  of  the  House,  were  to  preside  over  the  joint  session 
of  the  two  Houses,  which  was  to  assemble  in  the  House  of 
Representatives.  Tickets  were  necessary  to  procure  admis 
sion  to  the  galleries.  By  ten  o'clock  every  available  space 
was  taken.  The  diplomatic  gallery  was  occupied  by  the 
foreign  representatives,  including  Sir  Edward  Thornton, 
Baron  Gerolt,  Blacque  Bey,  Mr.  DeBille,  and  other  dis 
tinguished  foreigners  who  were  much  engrossed  with  Amer 
ican  affairs.  In  the  reserved  galleries  were  Mrs.  Grant,  Mrs. 
Dent,  Mrs.  Sharp,  members  of  General  Grant's  staff,  Mrs. 
Matthews,  Schuyler  Colfax's  mother,  and  his  sister,  wives  and 
ladies  of  the  Supreme  Court,  senators  and  members,  and  also 
many  distinguished  visitors  in  the  city.  On  the  motion  of 
some  member,  permission  was  given  to  admit  ladies  on  the 
floor  in  the  rear  of  the  members'  seats.  In  a  brief  time  every 
available  spot  was  occupied.  At  twelve  o'clock  the  House 
was  called  to  order,  and  the  opening  prayer  was  followed  by 
some  minor  motions  incident  to  the  morning  hours.  The 
hour-hand  pointed  to  one  o'clock;  the  sergeant -at -arms, 
General  Ordway,  announced  the  presence  of  the  Senate  and 
their  desire  to  be  admitted.  Preceded  by  Colonel  Brown, 
sergeant-at-arms  of  the  Senate,  the  whole  body  filed  in  and 
took  the  seats  provided  for  them.  The  imperturbable  Ben 
Wade,  ascending  the  speaker's  platform,  took  the  presiding 
officer's  chair  with  Mr.  Colfax  on  his  right.  As  soon  as  all 
were  seated  Mr.  Wade  took  up  the  gavel  and  called  the 
joint  House  to  order.  The  clerk  then  proceeded  to  call  the 
roll  of  States.  As  soon  as  the  first  contested  State  was 
reached,  a  discussion  arose  and  the  Senate  withdrew  to  dis 
cuss  the  question  separately. 


234  REMINISCENCES   OF 

After  an  hour  and  a  half  the  Senate  returned  to  continue 
the  count.  During  the  absence  of  the  Senate,  the  members 
of  the  House  discussed  also  the  question  of  rights  of  States 
to  cast  their  votes  where  an  irregularity  was  charged,  some  of 
the  members  exhibiting  much  feeling.  They  had  not  gone 
far  when  they  again  got  into  a  wrangle  over  the  State  of 
Georgia,  General  Butler  leading  in  the  attack  upon  Mr.  Wade, 
who,  in  the  generosity  of  his  heart,  had  recognized  the  gentle 
man  from  Massachusetts,  not  anticipating  the  muddle  to 
which  it  would  lead.  A  second  withdrawal  of  the  Senate  was 
necessary,  and  while  they  were  out  they  determined  that 
such  proceedings  should  not  continue,  as  it  looked  at  one 
time  as  if  the  time  prescribed  by  the  Constitution  might 
elapse  before  they  could  finish  their  work,  from  which  untold 
complications  might  arise.  Consequently,  upon  the  renewal 
of  the  motions  by  General  Butler,  a  number  of  members  arose 
to  the  defence  of  Mr.  Wade  and  Mr.  Colfax  seized  the  gavel 
and  restored  order,  declaring  that  the  sergeant-at-arms  would 
be  called  to  his  assistance  if  the  disorder  continued.  After 
some  further  discussion  the  count  was  finished,  and  the  joint 
assembly  adjourned. 

General  Logan  was  much  excited  over  what  he  termed  dis 
courtesy  to  the  revered  Mr.  Wade.  It  seemed  to  him  out 
rageous  that  any  member  of  that  body  should  embarrass  and 
confuse  the  venerable  statesman  in  the  closing  hours  of  his 
long  and  faithful  career.  General  Logan's  castigation  of  But 
ler  in  as  strong  terms  as  parliamentary  rules  would  allow 
elicited  prolonged  applause  and  contributed  much  to  restor 
ing  order,  securing  for  Mr.  Wade  the  respect  and  considera 
tion  due  to  him.  On  adjournment  it  was  most  interesting  to 
see  the  groups  of  men  discussing  the  proceedings  of  the  day, 
and  to  hear  their  denunciatory  remarks  on  those  who  had  at 
tempted  to  delay  the  count  and  annoy  Mr.  Wade. 

We  were  then  living  at  Willard's  Hotel.  That  evening  about 
eight  o'clock  there  was  a  knock  on  our  parlor  door,  and  in 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  235 

answer  to  the  command  to  enter  Mr.  Wade  walked  in,  and, 
extending  his  hand  to  General  Logan,  he  said:  "Logan,  God 
bless  you;  I  have  come  here  to  thank  you  for  coming  to  my 
rescue  to-day  when  they  attempted  to  crucify  and  mortify 
me.  My  blunder  was  in  recognizing  any  one,  after  which  I 
could  do  nothing  but  bull  it  through. "  He  had  his  umbrella 
in  his  hands,  and  emphasized  every  word  by  striking  it  on  the 
floor.  In  all  respects  he  was  a  quaint  figure,  but  so  earnest 
and  enthusiastic  that  he  commanded  the  admiration  of  every 
one  who  came  in  contact  with  him.  We  prevailed  on  him 
to  sit  down,  and  the  memory  of  that  visit  will  abide  with  me 
forever.  He  spoke  with  much  emotion  of  his  long  service  for 
the  cause  of  human  liberty.  He  said  he  retired  to  private 
life  to  spend  the  remnant  of  his  days  contentedly  in  the  con 
sciousness  of  having  performed  his  duty  to  the  best  of  his 
ability.  He  spoke  most  affectionately  of  Mr.  Lincoln,  and 
was  grateful  his  lines  had  been  cast  in  the  same  epoch,  and 
that  he  had  been  able  to  do  something  to  further  the  cause 
for  which  Mr.  Lincoln  had  been  martyred. 

We  heard  much  that  winter  of  Alabama  claims,  the  great 
methods  of  arbitration  in  international  affairs  and  other  ques 
tions,  signifying  that  we  were  entering  upon  a  wonderful  era 
in  human  affairs;  that,  with  the  close  of  our  rebellion,  came 
a  new  order  of  things  which  was  to  mark  the  greatest  progress 
in  republicanism. 

Congress  met  the  first  Monday  in  December,  1868.  The 
gloom  following  the  assassination  of  Mr.  Lincoln  by  a  mad 
man,  immediately  upon  the  dawn  of  peace  after  four  long 
years  of  fratricidal  war,  still  hung  like  a  pall  over  Washington. 
To  this  melancholy  event  was  added  the  personal  sorrow  of 
very  many  who  wore  the  habiliments  of  mourning  for  loved 
ones  lost  during  the  war.  Mr.  Johnson  was  naturally  a  seri 
ous  man,  and  was  so  overwhelmed  by  the  grave  responsibili 
ties  resting  upon  him  in  the  trying  position  in  which  he  was 
placed  that  it  seemed  as  if  the  pall  would  never  lift.  Mrs. 


236  REMINISCENCES  OF 

Johnson  was  an  invalid  and  could  do  nothing  to  brighten 
the  home  of  the  President.  Fortunately  their  daughters, 
Mrs.  Stover  and  Mrs.  Patterson,  were  typical  Southern  ladies 
with  rare  accomplishments,  fascinating  manners,  and  fine 
conversational  powers.  They  appreciated  keenly  their  social 
rank,  and  were  anxious  to  do  everything  possible  to  make  the 
White  House  attractive  and  to  have  every  one  feel  that  it 
was  the  people's  house,  which  they  occupied  temporarily. 
Therefore  they  extended  a  very  cordial  welcome  to  all  who 
were  entitled  to  be  received. 

In  both  houses  of  Congress  there  were  many  of  the  most 
distinguished  men  of  the  nation.  In  the  Senate  Hamlin, 
Sumner,  Conkling,  Fenton,  Fessenden,  Frelinghuysen,  Booth, 
McDougall,  Simon  Cameron,  Chandler,  Howard,  Kellogg, 
Morrill  of  Vermont,  Morrill  of  Maine,  Wilson,  Boutwell, 
Bayard,  Morton,  Williams  of  Oregon,  Yates,  Trumbull,  and 
others,  made  it  one  of  the  ablest  bodies  that  ever  convened 
in  any  country.  In  the  House  there  were  Washburn,  Logan, 
Cullom,  Judd,  Arnold,  Singleton,  Wentworth,  Henderson, 
Farnsworth,  Cook,  Sherman,  Schenck,  Garfield,  Grow,  Shella- 
barger,  Bingham,  Archer,  Thaddeus  Stevens,  Clymer,  Williams, 
Coif ax,Voorhees, Davis, Banks, Butler,  Wheeler,  Wood,  Slocum, 
Brooks,  Frye,  Blaine,  Hale,  Boutwell,  Allison,  Wilson  of  Iowa, 
and  a  score  of  others  who  were  leaders  of  men  and  statesmen 
in  every  sense  of  the  word. 

Before  the  Christmas  holidays  the  breach  between  the 
President  and  Congress  had  widened  so  seriously  that  it  was 
evident  that  the  last  days  of  Mr.  Johnson's  administration 
were  to  be  full  of  friction  and  unpleasantness  between  himself 
and  his  party.  As  if  in  sympathy  with  the  political  situation, 
January  i,  1869,  was  one  of  the  gloomiest  of  days;  a  cold  rain 
fell  all  the  night  before  and  continued  during  New  Year's 
Day.  Every  preparation,  however,  had  been  made  for  the 
reception  at  the  White  House. 

The  Marine  Band,  under  the  leadership  of  the  well-re- 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  237 

membered  Professor  Scala,  was  in  its  accustomed  place.  The 
President,  his  daughters,  Mrs.  Stover  and  Mrs.  Patterson,  and 
Miss  Cohen,  of  Tennessee,  assisted  by  one  or  two  of  the  ladies 
of  the  cabinet,  received  the  callers.  Secretary  Seward  pre 
sented  the  Diplomatic  Corps  and  their  ladies,  all  of  whom 
appeared  in  regal  costume;  the  gentlemen  were  in  full  court 
dress,  wearing  all  their  orders.  Stately  Sir  Edward  Thorn 
ton  and  gracious  Lady  Thornton  led  the  column  in  which  fol 
lowed  M.  Bethemy,  the  French  minister;  M.  Blacque  Bey, 
the  Turkish  minister;  Baron  Gerolt,  of  Prussia,  and  his  lovely 
wife  and  beautiful  daughters;  Mr.  DeBille,  the  Danish  minis 
ter,  and  his  charming  wife;  Don  Jose  Antonio  Garcia,  of  Peru; 
and  the  whole  list  of  the  distinguished  diplomats  then  in 
Washington.  This  was  Mr.  Seward's  last  appearance  at  a 
New  Year's  reception,  and,  as  many  looked  upon  him  as  the 
last  of  Mr.  Lincoln's  cabinet,  they  felt  a  pang  of  regret  that 
in  so  brief  a  time  every  representative  of  that  administration 
should  have  gone  out  forever.  The  diplomatic  corps  was 
followed  by  the  Supreme  Court,  headed  by  Chief  Justice 
Chase,  Associate  Justices  Nelson,  Clifford,  Davis,  Miller, 
Strong,  Swayne — all  now  gone  to  another  world,  with  the 
majority  of  the  throng  that  surged  through  the  White  House 
that  dreary  day. 

The  cabinet  was  well  represented,  Secretary  Stan  ton  alone 
being  absent.  Secretaries  Welles,  McCulloch,  Browning, 
Stanberry,  P.  M.  G.  Randall  were  there,  each  contributing 
his  best  efforts  to  the  pleasure  of  every  one.  Very  few  of  the 
Senate  and  House  appeared — Senators  Sprague,  Dixon,  Doo- 
little,  Grimes,  Trumbull,  Ross,  and  a  few  others  attended; 
of  the  House  there  were  even  fewer  who  paid  their  respects. 

The  army,  led  by  General  Grant  and  a  long  list  of  military 
officers,  presented  an  imposing  appearance,  as  also  the  officers 
of  the  navy,  following  Admirals  Farragut  and  Porter.  There 
were  then  a  number  of  officers  of  both  branches  of  the  serv 
ice  in  Washington  who  had  but  recently  been  relieved  from 


238  REMINISCENCES  OF 

active  duty.  The  bureau  officers,  different  organizations, 
and  privileged  persons  had  scarcely  passed  the  President  when 
a  fearful  crowd  from  the  streets  pushed  their  way  in,  their 
feet  muddy  and  their  clothing  dripping  with  the  rain  in  which 
they  had  been  standing  outside.  The  President  encouraged 
their  coming,  and  very  soon  the  reception  became  a  motley 
surging  crowd,  to  the  disgust  of  dignified  people. 

Mr.  Johnson's  cabinet,  Mr.  Seward,  Mr.  McCulloch,  Mr. 
Stanton,  Mr.  Welles,  Mr.  Browning,  Mr.  Randall,  and  Mr. 
Stanberry,  were  all  men  of  national  reputation.  Their  fami 
lies  were,  without  exception,  charming  people  who  enjoyed 
conforming  to  all  the  social  requirements  of  their  positions. 
They  gave  dinners,  luncheon  parties,  afternoon  and  evening 
receptions,  and  made  their  guests  feel  they  were  pleased  to 
see  them. 

No  one  ever  heard  the  wives  of  those  officials  say  they  were 
" bored  to  death  by  callers"  or  that  they  " despised  society." 
Their  entertainments  were  beautiful  and  on  a  scale  of  mag 
nificence  equal  to  those  of  the  moneyed  kings  of  to-day,  who 
claim  to  rival  Belshazzar's  feasts  in  their  extravagant  enter 
tainments,  which  are,  as  a  rule,  ordered  from  caterers  and 
decorators  and  have  few  personal  touches  displaying  the  taste 
of  the  hosts  or  anything  that  betrays  the  delightful  hospi 
tality  of  a  real  home. 

The  most  refined  people  came  to  Washington  every  winter, 
because  of  the  opportunity  to  meet  celebrities.  It  was  a 
pleasure  to  take  these  visitors  to  pay  their  respects  to  offi 
cials  and  their  families,  of  whom  all  loyal  Americans  were 
justly  proud.  Every  one  was  assured  of  a  cordial  welcome, 
the  recipients  appreciating  the  honor  conferred  upon  them  by 
those  calls.  No  one  was  made  to  feel  he  was  an  intruder; 
neither  did  any  one  presume  upon  the  courtesy  extended  to 
him.  If  the  cabinet  ladies  felt  their  duties  irksome,  they  were 
too  well  bred  or  too  diplomatic  to  betray  their  feelings. 

Chief  Justice  Chase,  in  his  then  considered  palatial  home 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  239 

on  the  corner  of  Fifth  and  F  Streets,  gave  royal  dinners  and 
parties.  His  daughters,  Mrs.  Kate  Chase  Sprague  and  Miss 
Nettie  Chase,  both  fascinating  and  brilliant  women,  presided 
over  the  home  of  the  chief  justice,  and  made  it  one  of  the 
most  attractive  in  the  city.  Here  eminent  statesmen  and 
learned  men  and  women  of  the  time  were  dined  and  enter 
tained  with  lavish  hospitality.  Justices  Miller,  Strong,  and 
Swayne,  and  their  attractive  families  gave  many  social  func 
tions  in  their  spacious  homes,  where  one  met  persons  who 
were  interesting  and  celebrated  on  account  of  their  achieve 
ments. 

It  may  be  imaginary,  but  when  one  recalls  the  resplendent 
social  affairs  given  by  Sir  Edward  and  Lady  Thornton,  the 
French  minister,  the  German  minister  Baron  Gerolt,  Mr. 
De  Bille,  the  Danish  minister,  Mr.  Zamacona,  the  Mexican 
minister,  the  Garcias,  of  Peru,  and  others  of  the  Diplomatic 
Corps,  one  feels  that  diplomatic  hospitality  was  more  brilliant 
and  frequent  than  it  is  in  these  days  of  boundless  prosperity 
and  greater  cordiality  between  all  nations  and  the  United 
States. 

Many  of  the  senators  and  members  of  Congress  were  men 
of  wealth  for  that  epoch,  who  entertained  lavishly  in  their 
own  homes.  It  was  rare  that  their  dinners  were  cooked  by 
caterers.  They  lived  well  every  day,  and  a  dinner  was  to 
them  merely  a  question  of  what  guests  they  desired  to  invite. 
Mr.  Sumner's  dinners,  as  I  have  already  said,  were  famous. 
The  most  delicious  viands  lost  their  flavor  when  compared 
with  the  intellectual  feast  that  all  enjoyed  who  sat  at  his 
board.  Mr.  Hooper,  his  most  intimate  friend,  vied  with  Mr. 
Sumner  in  dinner-giving  and  in  the  choosing  of  brilliant  people. 
The  Frelinghuysens,  with  three  lovely  young  ladies  in  the 
house,  General  and  Mrs.  Butler  with  their  charming  daughter 
Blanche,  afterward  Mrs.  Ames,  were  delightful  hosts  who  en 
joyed  having  their  friends.  General  and  Mrs.  Grant,  Ad 
miral  and  Mrs.  Porter,  and  very  many  more  gave  superb 


240  REMINISCENCES  OF 

dinners  and  receptions  that  were  no  less  resplendent  than 
those  given  every  winter  since.  There  was  a  charm  about 
the  dinners  given  in  those  days  which,  it  must  be  admitted, 
does  not  characterize  such  gatherings  now.  They  were  less 
formal  but  there  was  more  sincere  cordiality  than  is  mani 
fested  in  latter-day  social  functions. 

On  account  of  the  political  imbroglios  which  Mr.  Johnson 
was  unfortunate  enough  to  precipitate,  the  state  dinners, 
though  given  punctiliously,  were  not  especially  enjoyable. 
With  the  President  out  of  harmony  with  his  party,  no  amount 
of  feminine  tact  could  keep  the  sparks  from  flying,  especially 
when  the  poles  were  in  such  close  proximity  as  a  dinner-table 
necessitates. 

However,  President  Johnson's  daughters,  with  consummate 
tact,  decided  to  give  a  brilliant  and  memorable  social  func 
tion  in  the  White  House  which  would  not  be  clouded  by 
any  political  collisions  or  awkward  coupling  of  guests. 
The  grandchildren  of  President  Johnson,  Frank  Johnson, 
Andrew  Stover,  Sallie  and  Lillie  Stover,  were  all  very  attrac 
tive.  Mrs.  Stover,  a  most  charming  woman,  conceived  the 
idea  of  converting  the  staid  old  mansion  into  fairy-land  and 
filling  it  with  the  fairies  that  inhabit  every  city,  in  this  way 
hoping  to  avoid  the  unpleasant  meeting  of  political  rivals. 
Invitations  of  the  most  formal  character  were  issued  two 
weeks  or  more  before  the  affair  was  to  occur.  Every  child 
honored  by  one  was  in  a  great  state  of  excitement  lest  his 
costume  should  not  be  gorgeous  enough  for  such  a  grand  oc 
casion.  Indulgent  mammas  exhausted  every  resource  in  de 
signing  and  providing  the  bewildering  fairylike  garments, 
which  were  often  provided  with  wings,  that  the  children 
might  have  the  true  resemblance  to  elves.  The  decorators 
made  the  corridors,  east  room,  and  parlors  bowers  of  vines 
and  flowers,  that  the  little  creatures  might  disport  themselves 
in  a  veritable  fairy-land. 

Professors  Marini  and  Bates  prepared  the  grand  promenade, 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  241 

fairy  dances,  and  music  for  the  occasion.  " Mammas"  and 
" papas"  were  invited  to  accompany  the  children,  so  that  the 
company  was  very  large.  The  children  of  the  White  House 
received  their  guests  in  the  blue  room,  thence  passing  into 
the  green  room,  the  doors  of  which  were  closed,  so  that  none 
might  enter  the  east  room  before  the  procession.  The  hours 
were  from  six  to  eleven.  It  was  nearly  seven  o'clock  when 
Frank  Johnson  and  Sally  Stover  headed  the  procession,  keep 
ing  time  to  the  lovely  music.  After  them  came  the  nu 
merous  couples  who  had  assembled  in  the  blue  and  green 
rooms,  and  who  were  to  take  part  in  the  dance  in  the  east 
room. 

A  more  enchanting  scene  was  never  witnessed  in  the  White 
House.  Nellie,  Ulysses,  and  Jesse  Grant,  the  Barneses  and 
McCullochs,  the  Wallachs,  the  Blairs,  children  of  the  Dip 
lomatic  Corps,  and  many  others  from  the  families  of  officials 
and  citizens  made  a  bright  picture,  with  their  gay  dresses  and 
pretty  faces,  while  their  merry  laughter  rang  out  above  the 
strains  of  delightful  music.  At  the  proper  time  President 
Johnson,  surrounded  by  fairy  queens,  led  the  way  to  the 
state  dining-room,  where  the  long  table,  spread  with  every 
delicacy,  refreshed  them  after  they  had  danced  and  prom 
enaded  to  their  hearts'  content.  The  Italian  minister,  Chev 
alier  Cerruti,  although  a  bachelor,  had  given  a  charming 
children's  party  previously,  he  himself  crowning  Nellie  Grant 
queen  of  the  evening.  Thus  the  little  people  had  that  winter 
two  wonderfully  pretty  parties. 

The  winter  was  so  full  of  stirring  events  that  it  passed 
quickly,  and  yet  every  one  was  impatient  for  the  4th  of 
March  and  the  inauguration  of  General  Grant  and  Schuyler 
Colfax  as  President  and  Vice-President.  Mr.  Johnson,  his 
family,  and  cabinet  longed  to  be  released  from  the  continual 
bickerings  and  warfare  between  the  President  and  Congress 
that  had  reached  and  passed  the  pitch  of  an  "  impeachment 
trial"  of  the  President  by  Congress.  The  trial  only  failed 


242  REMINISCENCES  OF 

by  one  vote  to  result  in  conviction,  but  to  all  intents  and 
purposes  convicted  the  President  of  bad  faith  to  his  party, 
and  placed  him  in  a  humiliating  position  before  the  nation, 
causing  him  and  his  family  to  long  for  the  seclusion  of  his 
home  in  Tennessee. 

General  Logan  had  made  an  engagement  for  both  himself 
and  me  to  accompany  Colonel  Charles  L.  Wilson,  of  Chicago, 
editor  of  the  Journal  of  that  city,  to  visit  the  battle-fields  of 
Virginia  and  the  city  of  Richmond  in  March,  1868.  Colonel 
Wilson  came  on,  accompanied  by  his  niece  Miss  Anna  Wilson, 
and  the  young  lady  to  whom  he  was  engaged,  Miss  Farrar,  of 
Boston.  However,  it  so  happened  that  there  were  such  im 
portant  matters  before  Congress  that  General  Logan  could 
not  go.  The  colonel,  however,  insisted  that  I,  with  my  two 
children,  our  daughter  Dollie  and  baby  son  John  A.  Logan, 
Jr.,  should  carry  out  the  plan  of  our  visit. 

We  arrived  in  Richmond  on  a  cold  bleak  day  in  March,  to 
find  the  hotel  in  a  very  wretched  condition.  As  it  was  so 
soon  after  the  war,  we  were  prepared  to  find  evidences  of  the 
rebellion  everywhere.  The  colonel  had  great  difficulty  in 
finding  an  equipage  to  drive  over  the  battle-fields  around 
Richmond.  He  particularly  wanted  to  go  to  Libby  Prison, 
and  to  inspect  the  fortifications  that  had  afforded  defence 
for  the  capital  of  the  Confederacy  for  so  many  long  months. 
I  shall  never  forget  the  poor  horses,  the  well-worn  carriage, 
and  the  miserable-looking  white  man,  accompanied  by  a  boy 
about  thirteen  years  of  age,  who  sat  on  the  box.  We  had, 
fortunately,  brought  lap-robes,  cloaks,  and  warm  robes,  ex 
pecting  the  weather  to  be  disagreeable.  Driving  about  over 
the  battle-field,  we  saw  the  colored  people  picking  up  the 
bullets  and  pieces  of  shell  which  afforded  them  quite  a  liveli 
hood  immediately  after  the  war.  Foundry  men  had  estab 
lished  agencies  around  all  these  fortified  cities  to  buy  up 
exploded  shrapnel-shells,  broken  cannon  and  Minie  balls,  and 
every  species  of  old  iron  that  was  so  abundant  on  these  bat- 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  243 

tie-fields.  Driving  about  from  place  to  place,  we  were  greatly 
interested,  and  realized  more  than  we  ever  could  have,  had 
we  not  visited  the  city  immediately  after  the  war,  the  horrors 
through  which  the  people  of  the  Confederacy  had  passed.  I 
remember  hearing  the  poor  little  boy,  who  was  so  thinly  clad 
that  he  had  little  to  protect  him  from  the  inclemency  of  the 
weather,  call  out  to  the  driver:  "Well,  it  isn't  so  miserably 
hot  to-day,  is  it?"  At  the  same  time  his  teeth  were  chatter 
ing  in  his  head  with  the  cold  from  which  he  was  suffering. 
We  were  not  long  in  finding  that  we  could  do  without  one 
of  the  lap-robes,  which  we  insisted  that  the  poor  child  should 
wrap  around  his  shivering  body. 

During  this  trip  we  visited  the  churchyards  and  cemeteries 
at  Richmond,  Petersburg,  and  other  points  made  historic  by 
the  struggle  which  had  taken  place  in  and  around  these  cities. 
In  the  churchyard  near  Petersburg  we  saw  hundreds  of  the 
graves  of  Confederate  soldiers.  These  graves  had  upon  them 
small  bleached  Confederate  flags  and  faded  flowers  and  wreaths 
that  had  been  laid  upon  them  by  loving  hands  on  the  occasion 
of  their  Decoration  Day. 

Upon  our  return  General  Logan  was  much  interested  in 
our  account  of  what  we  had  seen  and  I  remarked  to  him  that 
I  had  never  been  so  touched  as  I  was  by  seeing  the  little  flags 
and  the  withered  flowers  that  had  been  laid  on  these  graves. 
At  this  General  Logan  said  that  it  was  a  beautiful  revival  of 
the  custom  of  the  ancients  in  thus  preserving  the  memory  of 
the  dead,  and  that  he,  as  commander-in-chief  of  the  Grand 
Army  of  the  Republic,  would  issue  an  order  for  the  decora 
tion  of  the  graves  of  Union  soldiers.  Colonel  Wilson,  heartily 
approving  of  the  plan,  said  that  he  would  be  glad  to  exploit 
it  in  his  paper  in  Chicago.  General  Logan  sent  for  General 
Chipman,  then  adjutant-general  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the 
Republic,  and  dictated  Order  No.  n,  for  the  first  decoration 
of  the  graves  of  Union  soldiers  that  ever  took  place  in  the 
United  States,  as  follows: 


244  REMINISCENCES  OF 

HEADQUARTERS  GRAND  ARMY  OF  THE  REPUBLIC, 

Adjutant-General's  Office,  446  Fourteenth  St., 
WASHINGTON,  D.  C.,  May  5,  1868. 

General  Orders  ) 
No.  ii.        J 

I.  The  3oth  day  of  May,  1868,  is  designated  for  the  purpose  of 
strewing  with  flowers  or  otherwise  decorating  the  graves  of  com 
rades  who  died  in  defence  of  their  country  during  the  late  rebel 
lion,  and  whose  bodies  now  lie  in  almost  every  city,  village,  and 
hamlet  churchyard  in  the  land.  In  this  observance  no  form  of 
ceremony  is  prescribed,  but  posts  and  comrades  will  in  their  own 
way  arrange  such  fitting  services  and  testimonials  of  respect  as  cir 
cumstances  may  permit. 

We  are  organized,  comrades,  as  our  regulations  tell  us,  for  the 
purpose,  among  other  things,  "of  preserving  and  strengthening 
those  kind  and  fraternal  feelings  which  have  bound  together  the 
soldiers,  sailors,  and  marines  who  united  to  suppress  the  late  re 
bellion."  What  can  aid  more  to  assure  this  result  than  by  cher 
ishing  tenderly  the  memory  of  our  heroic  dead,  who  made  their 
breasts  a  barricade  between  our  country  and  its  foes?  Their  sol 
dier  lives  were  the  reveille  of  freedom  to  a  race  in  chains,  and  their 
deaths  the  tattoo  of  rebellious  tyranny  in  arms.  We  should  guard 
their  graves  with  sacred  vigilance.  All  that  the  consecrated  wealth 
and  taste  of  the  nation  can  add  to  their  adornment  and  security 
is  but  a  fitting  tribute  to  the  memory  of  her  slain  defenders.  Let 
no  wanton  foot  tread  rudely  on  such  hallowed  grounds.  Let  pleas 
ant  paths  invite  the  coming  and  going  of  reverent  visitors  and 
fond  mourners.  Let  no  vandalism  or  avarice  or  neglect,  no  rav 
ages  of  time,  testify  to  the  present  or  to  the  coming  generations, 
that  we  have  forgotten  as  a  people  the  cost  of  a  free  and  undivided 
Republic. 

If  other  eyes  grow  dull,  and  other  hands  slack,  and  other  hearts 
cold  in  the  solemn  trust,  ours  shall  keep  it  well  as  long  as  the  light 
and  warmth  of  life  remain  to  us. 

Let  us,  then,  at  the  time  appointed,  gather  around  their  sacred 
remains,  and  garland  the  passionless  mounds  above  them  with  the 
choicest  flowers  of  spring-time;  let  us  raise  above  them  the  dear 
old  flag  they  saved  from  dishonor;  let  us  in  this  solemn  presence 
renew  our  pledges  to  aid  and  assist  those  whom  they  have  left 
among  us,  a  sacred  charge  upon  a  nation's  gratitude  —  the  soldier's 
and  sailor's  widow  and  orphan. 


A   SOLDIER'S  WIFE  245 

II.  It  is  the  purpose  of  the  Commander-in- Chief  to  inaugurate 
this  observance  with  the  hope  that  it  will  be  kept  up  from  year 
to  year,  while  a  survivor  of  the  war  remains  to  honor  the  memory 
of  his  departed  comrades.     He  earnestly  desires  the  public  press 
to  call  attention  to  this  order,  and  lend  its  friendly  aid  in  bringing 
it  to  the  notice  of  comrades  in  all  parts  of  the  country  in  time  for 
simultaneous  compliance  therewith. 

III.  Department  Commanders  will  use  every  effort  to  make  this 
order  effective. 

By  order  of —  JOHN  A.  LOGAN, 

Commander-in-Chief 
Official: 
WM.  T.  COLLINS,  A.  A.  G.  N.  P.  CHIPMAN, 

A  djutant-General. 

After  much  discussion  and  investigation  as  to  the  time  of 
the  year  when  flowers  would  be  in  their  greatest  perfection  in 
the  different  sections  of  the  country,  it  was  decided  that  May 
30  would  probably  be  the  most  appropriate  time  when  this 
ceremony  should  take  place.  General  Logan's  anticipations 
were  fully  realized  by  the  universal  observance  of  the  day  in 
every  State  in  the  Union.  The  exercises  were  characterized 
by  patriotic  addresses,  recitations,  music,  and  ceremonious 
decoration  of  the  soldiers'  graves  with  flowers.  Almost  all 
loyal  people  participated  in  the  observance  of  the  day  de 
voted  to  the  perpetuation  of  the  memory  of  the  heroic  dead. 

May  30,  1868,  was  a  beautiful  day.  Most  extensive  prep 
arations  had  been  made  for  the  decoration  of  the  graves  of 
the  soldiers  buried  at  Arlington.  There  were  a  great  many 
ex-Union  soldiers  in  and  around  Washington  at  that  time,  and 
they  seemed  to  vie  with  each  other  in  their  efforts  to  make 
the  occasion  a  memorable  one.  The  probabilities  are  that  a 
greater  number  of  ex-Union  officers  and  soldiers  took  part 
in  the  ceremonies  than  have  since  participated.  Among 
those  occupying  seats  on  the  platform  during  the  ceremonies 
were  General  and  Mrs.  Grant,  Mr.  Dent,  Mrs.  Grant's 
father;  Secretaries  Fish,  Rawlins,  Borie,  Boutwell,  and  Cox; 


246  A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE 

Postmaster- General  Creswell;  Sir  Edward  Thornton,  the  Brit 
ish  minister;  Senators  Nye  and  Warner;  Treasurer  Spinner; 
Mayor  Bowen;  General  Sherman;  the  venerable  Amos  Ken 
dall;  Hon.  Mr.  Laflin,  of  New  York;  Hon.  Sidney  Clarke, 
of  Kansas;  the  Swiss  consul-general;  Mr.  John  Hitz,  Doc 
tor  L.  Alcan,  of  Paris,  and  others. 

General  Logan  subsequently  succeeded  in  getting  an  appro 
priation  for  the  publication  of  the  reports  of  the  ceremonies 
of  Memorial  Day,  and  also  in  making  the  3oth  of  May  a  na 
tional  holiday.  Since  his  death  there  have  been  many  who 
have  claimed  for  themselves  or  their  friends  the  authorship 
of  Decoration  Day,  but  the  story  I  tell  here  contains  the  true 
facts  as  to  the  origin  of  Memorial  Day.  It  was  conceived 
by  General  Logan,  his  sympathetic  nature  being  deeply 
touched  by  what  we  had  told  him  that  we  had  witnessed  in 
the  cemeteries  of  Virginia.  He  said  that  it  was  strange  that 
a  people  who  were  so  loyal  to  their  country  as  had  been  the 
Union  soldiers  and  their  friends  should  not  have  been  the 
first  to  inaugurate  this  beautiful  ceremony,  and  that  it  must 
be  attributed  to  the  fact  that  they  were  so  engrossed  in 
taking  up  their  vocations  in  life  that  they  had  not  had  time 
to  indulge  in  sentiment.  He  said  it  was  not  too  late  for  the 
Union  men  of  the  nation  to  follow  the  example  of  the  people 
of  the  South  in  perpetuating  the  memory  of  their  friends  who 
had  died  for  the  cause  which  they  thought  just  and  right. 
General  Logan  had  infinite  satisfaction  in  the  thought  that 
he  was  the  author  of  Decoration  Day. 


CHAPTER  X 

INAUGURATION  OF  GRANT  —  THE  RECEPTION  AND  INAUGURAL  BALL 

—  CHOICE  OF  THE  CABINET  —  THE  CUBAN  QUESTION  —  CLAMOR 
AGAINST  THE  MILITARY  ELEMENT  —  BLAINE  ELECTED  SPEAKER 

—  INSTANCE   OF  HIS   MARVELLOUS   MEMORY  AND  QUICKNESS  — 
GENERAL   LEE    AT   THE   WHITE   HOUSE  —  APPOINTMENT    TO    OF 
FICE    OF    LONGSTREET,    MOSBY,    AND    OTHER    CONFEDERATES  — 
REFURNISHING      THE      WHITE      HOUSE  —  INTIMACY      BETWEEN 
LOGAN  AND   GRANT  —  THE    RECONSTRUCTION    PROBLEM  —  PUB 
LIC     SCANDALS  —  ENORMOUS     CORRESPONDENCE     OF     GENERAL 
LOGAN  —  SENATOR  CHRISTIANCY'S  MARRIAGE  —  CABINET  MEM 
BERS  AND  THEIR  WIVES 

As  the  flight  of  time  brought  the  4th  of  March  nearer  and 
nearer,  committees  were  formed  and  the  most  extensive  prep 
arations  ever  conceived  were  made  for  the  inauguration  of 
Grant  and  Colfax.  Experts  and  artists  from  New  York  and 
other  large  cities  were  brought  to  suggest  schemes  and  designs 
for  decorations  and  the  arrangement  of  the  programme. 

General  Grant  being  the  greatest  military  hero  who  had 
ever  been  elected  President,  and  there  being  so  many  ex- 
soldiers  in  Washington  at  that  time  from  all  parts  of  the 
country,  it  was  determined  that  the  military  display  should 
be  greater  than  it  ever  had  been  on  previous  inaugural  occa 
sions.  State  and  local  organizations  made  extensive  prepara 
tions;  everybody  in  and  around  the  capital  city  was  on  the 
alert  for  weeks  before  the  4th  of  March.  The  local  commit 
tees  were  untiring  in  their  labors.  The  citizens  were  most 
generous  in  their  subscriptions.  Consequently,  no  grander 
scene  could  be  imagined  than  was  presented,  notwithstanding 
the  day  was  stormy  and  that  it  rained  very  hard  at  night. 

The  committee  on  the  part  of  the  Senate  was  composed  of 

247 


248  REMINISCENCES  OF 

Hon.  Richard  Yates,  of  Illinois;  A.  H.  Cragin,  of  New  Hamp 
shire;  and  T.  C.  McCreary,  of  Kentucky.  They  attended 
to  the  details  of  the  arrangements  at  the  Capitol,  while  the 
numerous  committees  for  every  part  of  the  ceremony  suc 
ceeded  in  having  everything  perfect.  The  procession  was 
magnificent.  It  began  with  the  grand  marshal,  General  Alex 
ander  S.  Webb,  and  his  efficient  staff  composed  of  prominent 
military  officers,  members  of  General  Grant's  staff  and  others. 
Then  the  carriages  with  the  President  and  Vice-President  elect 
and  the  committee.  Then  the  outgoing  President  and  the 
committees,  followed  by  an  unusual  quota  of  distinguished 
officials — judges,  senators,  governors,  ex-senators,  ex-govern 
ors,  and  many  other  noted  visitors.  Then  the  various  organ 
izations — military,  masonic,  and  civic  to  the  number  of  thou 
sands,  while  the  numerous  bands  played  martial  airs  with 
much  enthusiasm.  The  whole  of  the  space,  including  the 
park  east  of  the  Capitol,  was  literally  packed  with  people. 
The  waving  banners  of  the  various  organizations  here  and 
there  made  it  a  gay  panorama.  The  usual  ceremonies  of 
swearing  in  the  Vice-President  by  the  Chief  Justice  took  place 
in  the  Senate  chamber  at  the  constitutional  hour  of  twelve 
o'clock.  The  Senate  chamber  was  packed  to  suffocation. 
The  diplomatic  corps,  in  full  court  dress,  presented  an  impo 
sing  appearance,  while  the  galleries  were  filled  to  their  utmost 
capacity.  Mrs.  Grant,  her  children,  and  father  Colonel  Dent, 
and  Mrs.  and  Miss  Matthews,  mother  and  sister  of  Mr.  Col- 
fax,  occupied  front  seats  in  the  reserved  galleries.  The  diplo 
matic  gallery  and  that  reserved  for  ladies  looked  brilliant 
with  their  complement  of  well-dressed  beautiful  women. 
Every  movement  was  chronicled  by  the  vigilant  reporters,  who 
occupied  their  accustomed  places  in  the  gallery  reserved  for 
them. 

Vice-President  Colfax  was  as  pale  as  death  while  taking 
the  oath,  and  seemed  deeply  moved  in  assuming  the  respon 
sibility  of  the  office  of  Vice-President,  and,  as  he  occupied  the 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  249 

chair  a  few  moments  his  pallor  became  even  greater.  After 
Chief  Justice  Chase  had  pronounced  the  last  word  which 
made  Mr.  Colfax  the  legal  Vice-President  of  the  United  States, 
the  Senate  arose  and,  preceded  by  Chief  Justice  Chase,  the 
President-elect,  Vice-President,  and  Supreme  Court,  filed  out 
of  the  Senate  chamber  in  order  according  to  rank  through 
the  corridor  to  the  rotunda,  and  out  through  the  bronze  door 
way  to  the  platform  always  erected  before  the  east  front  of 
the  Capitol  for  the  ceremony  of  administering  the  oath  to 
the  President  by  the  Chief  Justice,  and  from  which  the  Presi 
dent  delivers  his  inaugural  address.  The  day  was  inclement, 
but,  as  General  Grant's  address,  like  most  of  his  state  papers, 
was  very  short,  the  people  were  not  long  exposed. 

Notwithstanding  the  multitude  of  people  massed  in  front  of 
them  and  on  every  side,  so  interested  were  they  that  absolute 
silence  prevailed.  The  deep  voice  of  Chief  Justice  Chase 
reached  to  the  very  outside  of  the  crowd.  General  Grant's 
great  diffidence  almost  overwhelmed  him,  and  he  could  be 
heard  only  a  few  yards  from  where  he  stood.  No  one  could 
have  believed  that  the  shrinking,  unpretentious  man  stammer 
ing  through  the  well-prepared  address  had  commanded  thou 
sands  of  men  and  conquered  as  many  more.  After  the  close 
of  the  address,  and  when  all  within  reach  had  congratulated 
and  blessed  the  President  many  times  over,  the  procession 
again  re-formed  and  escorted  the  President  to  the  executive 
mansion,  the  bands  playing  all  the  triumphant  familiar  airs 
they  knew.  Reaching  the  White  House  they  were  received 
most  formally,  without  the  luncheon  and  other  hospitalities 
the  outgoing  President  uniformly  extends  to  his  successor. 
General  Grant  did  not  remain  that  night  in  the  White  House, 
but  returned  to  his  home  on  I  Street. 

The  north  wing  of  the  Treasury  was  just  nearing  completion 
at  that  time,  so  that  the  committee  made  arrangements  to 
have  the  reception  and  inaugural  ball  in  the  new  building, 
occupying  all  the  floors.  Immediately  over  the  entrance  hall 


250  REMINISCENCES   OF 

were  the  reception-rooms  of  the  President,  Mrs.  Grant,  the 
Vice-President,  and  the  ladies  of  his  family,  all  communica 
ting,  while  other  rooms  furnished  ample  accommodations  for 
the  cloak-room.  The  magnificent  marble  or  east  room  was  the 
main  dancing-hall.  It  was  furnished  and  elaborately  deco 
rated,  as  was  the  whole  building.  The  bronze  gallery  running 
round  this  room  made  a  grand  place  for  the  music  and  spec 
tators.  The  decorations  in  this  room  were  the  finest  of  all, 
the  soft  tints  of  the  Pyrenees,  Siena,  Egyptian,  Tennessee, 
and  Vermont  marbles  contrasting  exquisitely  with  the  bright 
colors.  The  whole  effect  was  superb. 

There  was  a  very  great  crowd,  and,  but  for  the  solidity  of 
the  building  and  the  perfect  management  it  might  have  been 
most  uncomfortable.  About  ten  o'clock  President  Grant  en 
tered  the  reception-room  assigned  him.  He  was  accompanied 
by  Senator  Morgan,  of  New  York,  and  one  or  two  others;  Mrs. 
Grant  was  escorted  by  General  George  H.  Thomas.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Colfax  came  in  together.  Horace  Greeley,  Julia  Ward 
Howe,  Governors  Jewell  of  Connecticut,  Oglesby  of  Illinois, 
Curtin  of  Pennsylvania,  Fenton  of  New  York,  and  innu 
merable  others,  including  many  army  and  navy  heroes  were 
there,  among  them  that  illustrious  Illinois  soldier  Major- 
General  James  H.  Wilson,  whose  daring  as  a  cavalry-officer 
placed  him  in  the  front  rank  of  officers  of  that  arm  of  the 
service.  The  capture  of  President  Jefferson  Davis,  as  he  was 
fleeing  from  Richmond,  was  the  crowning  glory  of  his  brilliant 
career.  I  remember  seeing  a  group  of  such  men  as  Porter, 
Farragut,  Du  Pont,  Dahlgren,  and  Rogers  together,  while 
Generals  Sherman,  Logan,  McDowell,  Meade,  Burnside,  Han 
cock,  Thomas,  Sickles,  and  a  host  of  others  recalled  the  stir 
ring  events  of  the  war  so  recently  over.  Celebrities  from 
every  part  of  the  country  were  among  the  numbers  who  were 
glad  to  honor  General  and  Mrs.  Grant  by  their  presence, 
making  the  inauguration  ceremonies  of  1869  the  most  notable 
up  to  that  time  in  the  history  of  the  Government.  The  5th 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  251 

of  March  found  the  city  full  of  weary  people,  who  felt 
themselves  almost  too  fatigued  to  take  their  departure  for 
home  after  the  procession,  ball,  and  ceaseless  tramping 
about. 

The  day  before  the  inauguration  an  event  occurred  in  Gen 
eral  Grant's  office  in  the  War  Department  that  few  knew  about, 
which  reflected  great  credit  upon  the  generosity  of  some  of 
our  patriotic  and  worthy  citizens.  The  house  occupied  by 
General  Grant  on  I  Street  had  been  given  him  by  some  friends 
when  he  was  General  of  the  Army.  He  was  about  to  move 
into  the  executive  mansion,  many  thought  for  a  residence  of 
eight  years  at  least.  His  successor  as  General  of  the  Army 
was  the  next  most  renowned  soldier  of  the  Union  army, 
General  W.  T.  Sherman.  A  committee  composed  of  A.  T. 
Stewart,  Hamilton  Fish,  B.  F.  Field,  W.  H.  Aspinwall,  Judge 
Hilton,  Solon  Humphrey,  and  William  Scott  had  been  chosen 
by  the  subscribers  to  present  this  house  and  the  furniture  to 
General  Sherman.  They  had  negotiated  with  General  Grant, 
and  had  arranged  that  Mr.  Hoyt  and  General  Butterfield 
should  take  General  Sherman  to  General  Grant's  office  at  an 
appointed  hour.  When  they  all  met,  the  committee  handed 
General  Grant  sixty-five  thousand  dollars.  He,  in  exchange, 
gave  them  the  deeds,  bills  of  sale,  and  documents,  making  an 
absolute  conveyance  to  General  Sherman  of  the  property  on 
I  Street  and  all  thereunto  belonging.  Then  the  committee 
gave  General  Sherman  the  subscription  list,  informing  him 
that  a  check  for  the  balance  of  the  subscriptions,  in  all  about 
one  hundred  thousand  dollars,  would  be  sent  to  him  at  an 
early  date.  General  Grant  was  delighted  that  General  Sher 
man  was  so  soon  to  have  the  house,  and  Sherman  was  com 
pletely  overcome  by  the  unexpected  kindness  of  his  friends. 
When  the  little  group  separated  each  felt  supremely  happy, 
the  donors  knowing  they  had  done  a  graceful  thing  and  the 
recipient  feeling  that  his  services  had  been  appreciated.  Gen 
eral  Sherman  lived  a  longer  period  probably  with  his  family 


252  REMINISCENCES  OF 

about  him  in  this  house  than  anywhere  else,  and  enjoyed 
more  uninterrupted  pleasure  here  than  in  any  other  house 
he  ever  occupied. 

In  a  few  days  after  Grant's  inauguration  the  question  of  the 
cabinet  was  settled  by  the  appointments  of  Hamilton  Fish  as 
Secretary  of  State,  vice  Mr.  Washburne,  who  was  transferred 
to  the  French  mission,  and  of  Mr.  George  S.  Boutwell  as  Secre 
tary  of  the  Treasury,  vice  Mr.  A.  T.  Stewart,  resigned.  Not 
withstanding  the  fact  that  Chief  Justice  Chase  decided  that 
the  transfer  of  his  business  to  trustees  made  Mr.  Stewart  eli 
gible,  many  lawyers  held  it  did  not.  General  Grant,  desiring 
to  avoid  any  technical  questions  on  the  subject,  accepted  Mr. 
Stewart's  resignation,  which  Mr.  Stewart  enclosed  with  the 
opinion  of  Chief  Justice  Chase.  General  John  A.  Rawlins, 
long  his  faithful  adjutant-general  in  the  field  and  after  the 
war,  was  made  Secretary  of  War.  Adolph  Borie,  of  Phila 
delphia,  was  appointed  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  but  occupied 
that  position  only  a  few  months.  General  Jacob  D.  Cox  was 
made  Secretary  of  the  Interior,  General  John  A.  Creswell 
Postmaster- General,  and  Judge  E.  R.  Hoar  Attorney- General. 

Everybody  applauded  these  appointments,  and  the  polit 
ical  skies  seemed  clearer  than  they  had  been  since  the  assas 
sination  of  Mr.  Lincoln.  Few  persons  knew  that  Senator  J. 
F.  Wilson,  of  Iowa,  then  a  member  of  the  House,  and  one  of 
the  impeachment  committee,  was  very  strongly  urged  by 
President  Grant  to  accept  the  position  of  Secretary  of  State. 
He  even  consented  at  one  time  to  consider  the  matter  favor 
ably,  but,  subsequently  learning  that  Mr.  Washburne  desired 
to  name  a  number  of  the  appointees  to  the  diplomatic  service, 
he  reconsidered  his  promise  and  declined  to  have  any  connec 
tion  with  the  cabinet,  after  which  Mr.  Fish  was  chosen  at  the 
request  of  Senator  Morgan,  Mr.  Conkling,  and  other  New 
York  friends  of  President  Grant.  Had  Mr.  Wilson  accepted 
this  position,  who  can  tell  the  effect  upon  the  policy  of  the 
administration?  Cuba  might  have  been  one  of  our  strongest 


A   SOLDIER'S  WIFE  253 

allies  and  a  prosperous  republic  before  the  expiration  of  Pres 
ident  Grant's  second  term. 

Upon  reflection  it  will  be  remembered  that  very  early  in 
Grant's  administration  the  Cuban  question  came  up  as  one 
of  the  most  important  of  the  time.  I  recollect  that  many 
earnest  and  prolonged  conferences  were  held  as  to  the  duty 
of  the  United  States  in  the  matter  of  the  various  troubles  in 
that  unfortunate  island.  Mr.  Fish  bitterly  opposed  any  rec 
ognition  of  Cuba  by  the  United  States  and  finally  carried 
his  point,  notwithstanding  the  urgent  solicitation  of  many 
prominent  citizens,  senators,  and  members  of  Congress  to 
the  contrary.  General  Grant  entertained  a  strong  desire  for 
negotiations,  but  was  ever  handicapped  by  the  fear  of  the 
cry  of  dictator,  knowing  that  the  mercurial  temperament  of 
the  people  all  over  the  country  was  ready  to  start  such  a  sen 
sation,  should  they  be  given  the  slightest  foundation  in  the 
line  of  any  desire  for  the  acquisition  of  territory. 

Upon  the  appointment  of  four  of  his  staff  to  clerical  duty 
in  the  White  House  there  was  another  spasmodic  outburst 
of  clamor  against  the  military.  Generals  Porter,  Babcock, 
and  Badeau  and  Colonel  Dent  were  looked  upon  with  much 
suspicion  when  it  was  announced  that  they  were  to  be  secre 
taries  to  the  President.  It  was  considered  most  unwise  that 
applicants  for  appointments  should  be  obliged  to  file  their 
applications  through  the  executives  of  the  respective  depart 
ments,  who  in  turn  sent  them  to  the  President  through  these 
secretaries.  There  was  especial  sensitiveness  on  the  subject 
of  uniforms  being  worn  about  the  White  House.  There  were 
then  a  great  number  of  officers  of  the  army  and  navy  in  Wash 
ington,  some  on  duty  and  some  on  leave  of  absence.  The 
mutterings  of  Congress  frightened  many  of  them,  who, .  to 
avoid  attracting  attention,  secured  the  passage  of  a  resolution 
permitting  officers  on  duty  or  leave  in  Washington  to  wear 
citizens'  dress.  When  the  Navy  and  War  Departments  pre 
sented  themselves  to  President  Grant  at  the  White  House, 


254  REMINISCENCES  OF 

there  was  a  large  number  of  distinguished  officers  in  the  com 
pany  that  assembled  in  the  east  room  to  pay  their  respects, 
which  must  have  made  Grant  feel  that  he  would  be  ably  sus 
tained  by  friends  whom  he  had  trusted  in  darker  days  and 
who  had  never  been  found  wanting. 

The  pressure,  unfortunately  as  great  as  ever,  for  appoint 
ment  in  the  civil  service  was  the  one  great  drawback  to  his 
peace  of  mind.  The  applicants  would  not  be  satisfied,  and  kept 
up  their  importunities  in  and  out  of  season.  Mr.  Wade,  who 
would  have  been  President  had  Andrew  Johnson  been  im 
peached,  called  upon  President  Grant  after  he  had  been  in  the 
executive  mansion  some  weeks  and  congratulated  him,  and  the 
President  replied  that  he  was  not  sure  the  Presidency  was  a 
thing  to  be  desired,  on  account  of  the  annoyances  that  hedged 
about  the  incumbent  as  a  result  of  the  impossibility  of  satisfy 
ing  the  demands  of  all  his  friends.  Mr.  Wade  advised  him  to 
be  master  of  the  situation,  to  please  himself,  and  to  let  those 
who  were  disappointed  murmur  as  they  wished.  He  said,  for 
himself,  he  was  delighted  to  go  into  retirement,  and,  feeling 
that  he  had  done  his  duty  faithfully,  he  had  no  regrets  but 
that  of  leaving  his  friends.  The  parting  between  these  two 
men,  who  had  both  played  so  conspicuous  a  part  in  national 
affairs,  was  most  touching. 

President  Grant  was  unfortunately  situated,  because  of 
the  number  of  men  whom  he  knew  to  be  eminently  qualified 
for  the  various  positions,  and  the  comparatively  few  posi 
tions  to  fill.  His  cabinet  were  equally  embarrassed  in  the 
matter  of  choosing  among  the  multitude,  who  came  favorably 
indorsed  by  men  who  had  been  with  Grant  through  the  war. 
Many  were  the  heart-burnings,  and,  as  a  matter  of  fact, 
many  mistakes  occurred  in  the  selections  that  had  finally  to 
be  made.  Subsequent  troubles  brought  upon  the  administra 
tion  by  the  action  of  these  appointees  caused  President  Grant 
great  suffering  and  vexation  of  spirit,  and  involved  him  in 
difficulties  that  it  required  a  long  time  to  outlive. 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  255 

In  the  reorganization  of  the  Senate,  Reverend  J.  P.  New 
man,  pastor  of  the  Metropolitan  Church,  was  made  chaplain ; 
Mr.  George  Gorman,  of  California,  was  made  sergeant-at-arms. 
Mr.  Elaine  was  re-elected  speaker  of  the  House,  and  immedi 
ately  confronted  a  galaxy  of  as  able  men  as  were  ever  in  that 
body.  His  first  duty  was  to  solve  a  most  difficult  problem  in 
assigning  the  chairmanships  of  the  committees,  with  such  men 
to  choose  from  as  Logan,  Garfield,  Banks,  Schenck,  Dawes, 
Allison,  Windom,  Holman,  Brooks  of  New  York,  Williams, 
Orth,  Myers,  O'Neil,  Shellabarger,  Wilson  of  Indiana,  Wilson 
of  Iowa,  Butler,  Lochridge,Bingham,  S  tough  ton,  Paine,  Wheeler 
of  New  York,  Ingersoll,  Cook,  Cullom,  Farnsworth,  Frye,  Hale, 
Judd,  and  a  legion  too  numerous  to  mention.  Mr.  Blaine  was 
then  young  and  vigorous,  and  probably  the  most  promising 
statesman  of  the  nation.  His  administration  of  the  speaker- 
ship  was,  without  doubt,  the  most  brilliant  in  the  history  of 
Congress,  spanning  the  most  important  epoch  of  the  nation. 
There  were  then,  perhaps,  more  critical  occasions  when  the 
great  skill,  knowledge,  and  quick  perception  of  the  speaker 
were  necessary  to  avoid  serious  trouble  than  during  any 
other  period.  Mr.  Blaine  was  ever  ready  for  any  emergency, 
at  times  displaying  diplomacy,  tact,  and  a  memory  that  had 
been  unequalled  by  any  other  parliamentarian. 

I  remember  once  listening  to  some  debate  upon  postal 
matters  wherein  Tucker,  of  Virginia,  was  criticising  the  ac 
tion  of  the  post-office  authorities  for  throwing  out  matter 
deemed  unmailable  on  account  of  its  political  character.  Mr. 
Blaine  was  in  the  chair.  As  quick  as  a  flash  he  beckoned 
some  one  to  the  chair  and  took  his  place  on  the  floor.  As 
soon  as  Tucker  had  finished,  Mr.  Blaine  addressed  the  chair, 
saying:  "If  the  gentleman  from  Virginia  will  permit,  I  should 
like  to  ask  him  a  question."  Mr.  Tucker  assented.  Mr. 
Blaine  continued:  "Were  you  not  attorney-general  for  the 
State  of  Virginia  during  the  administration  of  Henry  A.  Wise 
as  governor  of  Virginia,  and  did  not  you  decide  that  a  post- 


256  REMINISCENCES  OF 

office  official  in  the  State  of  Virginia  had  committed  no  offence 
by  the  destruction  of  copies  of  the  New  York  Tribune?"  This 
question  Mr.  Tucker  admitted  to  be  quite  true,  and  thereby 
lost  the  whole  point  of  his  argument  in  the  case  then  under 
discussion.  That  evening  we  were  dining  with  Mr.  Elaine, 
and  as  I  sat  on  his  right  I  remarked  to  him  that  I  was  aston 
ished  at  his  memory.  He  told  me  that  at  the  time  of  Tucker's 
decision  he  was  publishing  a  paper  up  in  Maine,  and  remem 
bered  writing  an  editorial  on  the  subject,  but  that  he  had 
quite  forgotten  the  whole  thing,  and  had  never  thought  of 
Mr.  Tucker  being  the  former  attorney-general  of  Virginia 
until  attracted  by  his  utterances.  It  flashed  through  his 
mind  that  he  must  be  the  man,  and,  seeing  his  opportunity 
to  disconcert  and  defeat  him,  he  determined  to  make  the 
inquiry.  Such  remarkable  instances  of  his  great  ability  were 
of  frequent  occurrence.  Before  the  close  of  the  first  session 
the  House  of  Representatives  had  reason  to  be  proud  of  its 
speaker  and  to  congratulate  itself  upon  having  elected  James 
G.  Elaine. 

Immediately  after  the  inauguration  ex-President  Johnson 
returned  to  his  home  in  Tennessee,  where  in  a  speech  he  re 
peated  his  eulogy  upon  himself  and  his  anathemas  against 
the  Republican  party.  Mr.  Seward  returned  to  Auburn, 
New  York,  where  he  spoke  in  glowing  terms  of  President 
Grant,  prophesying  that  his  administration  would  be  a  bless 
ing  to  the  country.  The  remainder  of  Mr.  Johnson's  cabinet 
went  to  their  respective  homes.  In  a  brief  time  everything 
was  adjusted  to  the  change  of  administration  and  the  affairs 
of  the  nation  proceeded  as  if  nothing  had  occurred. 

Among  the  callers  at  the  White  House  soon  after  the  occu 
pancy  by  President  Grant  and  his  family  was  General  Robert 
E.  Lee,  who  came  to  Washington  to  visit  his  wife's  kinswoman, 
Mrs.  Kennon,  of  Tudor  Place,  Georgetown.  Mrs.  Kennon 
was  the  niece  of  George  Washington  Parke  Custis,  father  of 
Mrs.  Lee,  and  occupied  for  many  years  her  home  in  George- 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  257 

town.  Her  husband  was  on  board  the  ill-fated  Princeton  at 
the  time  of  the  explosion  of  the  Stockton  gun  during  Tyler's 
administration,  when  so  many  distinguished  persons  who  were 
members  of  the  excursion  party  lost  their  lives.  The  greeting 
between  Lee  and  Grant  was  very  cordial,  but  General  Lee 
could  not  have  been  otherwise  than  embarrassed;  hence  he 
remained  but  a  short  time. 

One  of  the  first  appointments  made  by  President  Grant 
was  that  of  General  James  Longstreet  as  surveyor  of  the  port 
of  New  Orleans  as  a  recognition  of  the  reconstructed  Confed 
erates.  They  were  warm  personal  friends,  the  memory  of 
their  happy  days  at  West  Point  having  survived  the  stormy 
days  of  warfare,  and  President  Grant  desired  to  show  his 
magnanimity  and  good  faith  in  his  wish  to  encourage  those 
lately  in  rebellion  to  renew  their  loyalty  to  the  government. 
General  Longstreet,  who  had  nobly  stuck  to  a  bad  cause, 
and  more  nobly  acknowledged  his  error  when  defeated,  was 
therefore  a  fitting  representative  of  his  section.  General  Long- 
street  has  since  occupied  other  honorable  positions  and  always 
to  the  credit  of  himself  and  the  United  States.  I  saw  not  long 
since  in  the  newspapers  a  most  interesting  description  of  a  ban 
quet  given  in  Atlanta,  where  a  meeting  between  General  Sickles 
and  General  Longstreet  was  the  initiative  of  a  most  enthusiastic 
and  delightful  reunion  of  survivors  of  the  two  great  armies. 
The  speeches  were  eloquent,  the  music  fine,  and  the  picture  of 
Sickles  and  Longstreet  clasped  in  each  other  arms,  with  tears 
trickling  down  their  cheeks,  must  have  touched  the  sternest 
hearts.  General  Mosby  was  appointed  by  President  Grant, 
as  also  a  number  of  others.  Thus  the  great  conqueror  be 
came  the  great  benefactor  of  those  whom  he  had  conquered, 
and  was  the  first  to  inaugurate  sectional  harmony  and  the 
rebuilding  of  the  devastated  Southern  States,  culminating 
recently  in  the  celebration  of  the  fiftieth  anniversary  of  the 
battle  of  Gettysburg,  July  i,  2,  and  3,  1863,  by  a  reunion  of 
the  Blue  and  the  Gray,  furnishing  a  spectacle  never  before 


258  REMINISCENCES  OF 

witnessed  in  any  other  country.  The  policy  of  General  Grant 
doubtless  opened  the  way  for  the  reunited  country  which 
exists  to-day,  and  it  is  not  too  much  to  say  that  the  nation 
owes  General  Grant  a  debt  of  gratitude,  not  only  for  his 
brilliant  military  achievements,  but  for  his  widsom  and  mag 
nanimity  which  won  back  to  the  Union  those  who  were  in  re 
bellion  against  its  preservation. 

The  White  House  at  that  time  was  not  what  it  is  to-day. 
During  the  Civil  War  Mr.  Lincoln  permitted  every  one  who 
desired  to  see  him,  whether  through  curiosity,  friendliness,  or 
on  business,  to  have  free  access  to  the  executive  mansion,  and 
as  a  result  the  wear  and  tear  on  everything  in  the  house 
was  something  frightful.  The  excitement  which  attended 
Mr.  Lincoln's  assassination  brought  great  throngs,  who  were 
not  refused  admission  to  pay  their  respects  to  the  sacred 
remains  of  the  dead  while  they  lay  in  state  in  the  east  room. 
When  Mr.  Johnson  and  his  family  succeeded  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Lincoln  in  the  staid  old  mansion  they  found  everything  in  a 
shabby  condition.  Be  it  said  to  the  credit  of  Mrs.  Patterson, 
who  directed  Mr.  Johnson's  household  affairs,  that  she  did  the 
best  she  could  to  make  the  White  House  habitable  without 
occasioning  great  expense  to  the  Government.  She  had  the 
carpets,  curtains,  and  upholstery  cleaned,  remade,  and  put 
in  place  with  as  much  economy  as  if  she  had  been  paying  the 
bill  out  of  her  own  purse.  The  style  of  furniture,  draperies, 
etc.,  was  out  of  date,  and  was  never  beautiful  in  either  style 
or  color.  The  dear  lady  could  not  accomplish  very  much 
with  the  small  appropriation  that  was  made  for  the  repairs 
in  the  White  House.  Congress  had  at  that  time  a  very  dif 
ferent  idea  of  the  necessities  of  the  home  of  the  President  from 
the  one  it  holds  to-day.  Americans  had  not  arrived  at  an 
appreciation  of  the  gorgeousness  of  European  palaces  and 
the  requisites  of  the  home  of  the  ruler  of  the  country.  When 
President  and  Mrs.  Grant  moved  into  the  White  House, 
March  5, 1869,  they  consequently  found  it  in  a  very  deplorable 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  259 

condition,  to  say  nothing  of  its  hideous  appearance.  I  re 
member  well  the  bright  green  curtains  with  gay  trimming 
which  used  to  hang  in  the  state  dining-room.  Congress  was 
more  generous  in  its  appropriation  for  the  repairs  necessary 
at  this  time  than  it  had  been  previously.  General  O.  E. 
Babcock  was  authorized  to  negotiate  for  many  changes,  re 
furnishing  and  redecorating  during  the  summer  of  1869. 

The  relations  between  General  Logan  and  President  Grant 
were  so  intimate  that  we  were  constantly  summoned  to  the 
White  House  for  formal  and  informal  dinners,  lunches,  and 
receptions.  I  was  very  familiar  with  the  economies  and  ef 
forts  of  Mrs.  Grant  to  utilize  everything  that  could  be  re 
tained  in  the  executive  mansion,  and  to  make  it  as  attractive 
with  as  little  expense  as  possible.  General  Babcock  had  ex 
quisite  taste,  and  had  a  wonderful  ability  in  the  line  of  duty 
to  which  he  had  been  assigned.  Mrs.  Grant  was  so  gentle, 
so  kind,  and  so  gracious  to  every  one,  that  she  doubtless  re 
ceived  more  people  than  any  of  her  predecessors.  She  was 
the  same  thoughtful,  generous,  devoted  wife  and  mother, 
whose  gentleness  and  loyalty  to  her  family  and  friends  made 
her  equally  beloved  with  her  husband  by  the  whole  nation. 
After  General  Grant's  election  to  the  Presidency,  and  their 
final  establishment  in  the  White  House,  she  was  still  the 
unpretentious,  sincere  friend  of  the  unfortunate.  Among  the 
first  guests  invited  to  the  executive  mansion  were  her  old 
associates  whom  she  had  known  in  her  early  days  of  adver 
sity.  Nothing  she  could  do  for  these  dear  friends,  who  had 
been  so  much  to  her  before  fortune  had  smiled  upon  them, 
seemed  onerous.  Her  only  grief  was  that  the  President  could 
not  provide  each  one  of  the  many  with  lucrative  positions,  and 
thereby  improve  their  conditions  in  life.  Many  sought  her 
aid,  and  were  never  turned  away  impatiently.  She  at  least 
made  an  appeal  for  them.  Every  member  of  President 
Grant's  cabinet  had  stories  to  tell  of  Mrs.  Grant's  kind  heart. 
Every  Christmas  the  asylums,  hospitals,  and  charitable  insti- 


26o  REMINISCENCES  OF 

tutions  in  Washington  received  donations  from  Mrs.  Grant, 
while  the  members  of  her  family  and  her  friends  and  their 
children  were  most  generously  remembered.  She  was  the 
veritable  "Lady  Bountiful"  in  more  than  one  household. 
Her  greatest  fault,  if  she  had  faults,  was  her  extreme  leniency. 
She  could  never  discipline  either  her  servants  or  her  children, 
her  kind  heart  always  suggesting  some  excuse  for  misde 
meanors  or  neglect  of  duty.  She  was  never  so  happy  as 
when  planning  entertainments  and  indulgences  for  her  chil 
dren  and  their  multitude  of  friends.  The  basement  of  the 
White  House  was  reserved  for  the  boisterous  games  of  the 
boys  who  were  always  with  "Buck"  and  Jesse,  Fred,  the  elder, 
being  then  at  West  Point.  Nellie,  with  her  companions,  had 
full  sway  on  the  upper  floor.  Scarcely  a  Saturday  passed 
without  a  large  theatre-party  of  children  from  the  White 
House  and  the  homes  of  the  cabinet  officers,  especially  if  the 
amusement  column  of  the  newspaper  contained  anything 
attractive  for  children. 

President  and  Mrs.  Grant  entertained  constantly.  There 
were  always  guests  staying  in  the  house,  for  whom  entertain 
ments  were  given.  They  were  especially  fond  of  having  young 
people  with  them.  They  entertained  more  distinguished 
people  and  scions  of  royalty  than  any  other  occupants  of  the 
White  House.  Among  them  were  the  Duke  of  Edinburgh, 
Earl  de  Grey,  Lord  Northcote,  and  the  young  Prince  Arthur 
of  England,  the  Grand  Duke  Alexis  of  Russia,  King  Kala- 
kaua  of  Hawaii,  and  the  first  Japanese  and  Chinese  ministers 
after  the  signing  of  the  Burlingame  treaty.  We  were  present 
at  the  state  dinners  and  receptions  tendered  these  celebrities, 
and  have  since  sat  at  the  table  of  royalty  more  than  once, 
and  are  proud  to  say  that  in  no  wise  did  the  latter  surpass  in 
bounty,  elegance,  and  good  taste  the  entertainments  of  Presi 
dent  and  Mrs.  Grant. 

It  must  be  remembered  that  the  Joint  High  Commission, 
composed  of  more  distinguished  men  than  had  ever  served  on 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  261 

such  a  commission,  was  in  session  in  Washington  during  that 
winter.  The  usual  official  state  dinner  was  given,  of  course, 
but,  in  addition  to  that,  President  and  Mrs.  Grant  gave  a  recep 
tion  in  honor  of  Earl  de  Grey  and  his  associates.  Mrs.  Grant 
was  assisted  by  Mrs.  Sharpe,  Miss  Washburne,  Miss  Pelt, 
and  myself.  The  appointments  of  this  reception  surpassed 
anything  that  had  previously  been  given  in  the  White  House. 
Lady  Thornton,  with  her  tall,  spare  figure  and  dignified  dress, 
accompanied  the  aristocratic  Lady  MacDonald,  whose  bru 
nette  complexion  and  dark  hair  were  in  striking  contrast  with 
the  blond  hair  and  fair  complexion  of  her  chaperon,  Lady 
Thornton.  In  contrast  to  them  was  the  superb  figure  of 
Madame  Catacazy,  magnificently  dressed  and  crowned  with 
that  beautiful  head  of  hair  for  which  she  was  so  generally 
admired. 

The  whole  Diplomatic  Corps,  the  judges  of  the  Supreme 
Court,  members  of  the  Senate,  the  House,  and  many  other 
official  dignitaries  were  in  attendance  on  this  rare  occasion. 
The  press  was  represented  by  Horace  Greeley,  David  A.  Wells, 
Horace  White,  Samuel  Bowles,  Charles  Nordhoff  of  the  Her 
ald,  Sands,  Minturn,  Marshalls,  Halstead,  Samuel  Read, 
Gobright,  Benjamin  Perley  Poore,  and  John  W.  Forney.  The 
usual  number  of  senators  and  representatives  were  in  attend 
ance,  also  a  large  contingent  of  the  army  and  navy. 

A  few  evenings  later  Hon.  Zachary  Chandler,  of  Michigan, 
who  occupied  one  of  the  most  beautiful  homes  in  Washing 
ton,  on  H  Street  between  Fourteenth  and  Fifteenth,  gave  a 
very  large  reception  to  the  commission,  many  of  the  persons 
above  enumerated  being  among  the  guests  who  were  glad  to 
honor  our  British  friends.  Members  of  the  cabinet  also  gave 
dinners  and  receptions  in  honor  of  the  commission,  all  of 
which  were  brilliant  affairs,  and  must  have  made  a  very 
favorable  impression  upon  the  British  members,  as  the  son 
of  Lord  Northcote  subsequently  married  Miss  Edith  Fish, 
daughter  of  Secretary  Fish. 


262  REMINISCENCES   OF 

Neither  the  President  nor  Mrs.  Grant  could  ever  have  been 
considered  a  fine  conversationalist;  no  one,  however,  partook 
of  their  hospitality  who  was  not  charmed  by  them  both,  be 
cause  of  their  sincere  and  unpretentious  cordiality.  Presi 
dent  Grant  was  full  of  sly  fun,  and  particularly  enjoyed  a 
joke  at  Mrs.  Grant's  expense,  and  often  perpetrated  one  him 
self.  Her  frankness  and  pronounced  opinions  frequently  gave 
him  opportunity  to  turn  what  might  sometimes  have  proved 
an  embarrassing  situation,  particularly  when  her  views  were 
in  contravention  to  those  of  a  guest  or  host,  Mrs.  Grant  never 
remembering  individual  characteristics  or  histories.  Her 
noble  nature  would  never  have  permitted  her  to  wound  any 
one,  but  she  often  failed  to  remember  that  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
So-and-so  had  been  twice  married,  were  or  were  not  tem 
perance  leaders,  Protestants,  or  Catholics,  and  of  such  other 
personal  tastes  or  opinions  as  to  make  it  dangerous  to  express 
oneself  too  frankly.  The  President  at  such  times  would  lead 
her  on  to  her  own  undoing,  and  then  chuckle  over  her  embar 
rassment,  as  one  has  seen  brothers  do  when  teasing  their 
sisters.  The  absolute  harmony  of  their  domestic  lives  was 
ideal.  The  boasted  domestic  bliss  of  our  ancestors  in  the 
early  days  of  the  republic  furnishes  no  history  of  a  happier 
or  more  united  pair  than  the  General  and  Mrs.  Grant. 

From  the  hour  of  Grant's  entering  upon  his  duties  as  the 
President  of  the  United  States  the  political  caldron  began 
to  boil ;  and,  while  the  Republican  party  which  had  elected  him 
was  greatly  in  the  majority,  there  were  the  same  rivalries 
among  men  that  have  always  existed,  and  the  same  vexatious 
problems  in  regard  to  national  affairs  which  had  to  be  settled. 

Reconstruction  of  the  States  late  in  rebellion  was,  by  no 
means,  the  smallest  of  these  problems.  Smarting  under  the 
whip  of  adversity  and  failure,  the  people  of  the  South  natu 
rally  resented  the  advent  of  Northern  men  into  the  Southern 
States.  They  resented  the  tendency  of  these  men  to  occupy 
representative  positions  when  the  majority  of  the  support  of 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  263 

their  ambitions  was  the  colored  race,  so  lately  the  slaves  of 
these  same  Southerners.  The  colored  men  themselves  were 
not  without  ambitions  and  were  numerically  in  a  majority 
in  many  localities,  and  this  majority  was  greatly  increased  by 
the  disenfranchisement  of  those  lately  in  rebellion.  Therefore 
they  became  candidates  for  representative  positions,  as  well  as 
places  of  trust.  Conflict  between  these  two  elements  was 
inevitable,  and  waxed  hotter  and  hotter  in  the  States  where 
the  negroes  were  in  greatest  numbers. 

It  may  have  come  from  prejudice  acquired  in  my  youth 
in  regard  to  the  colored  race,  but  I  must  confess  that  when 
I  first  visited  Richmond,  and,  on  going  into  the  Capitol,  saw 
the  negro  members  of  the  House  and  Senate  of  the  Virginia 
legislature  occupying  the  places  that  were  once  filled  by  the 
great  men  of  Virginia,  the  spectacle  was  repulsive  to  me.  I 
could  readily  understand  that  a  true  Virginian  could  not  do 
otherwise  than  resent  the  conditions  that  had  brought  about 
such  a  situation.  The  debris  and  the  desecration  that  had 
almost  destroyed  that  beautiful  capitol  made  one  heart-sick, 
and  I  turned  away  with  unspeakable  disgust  and  the  feeling 
that  it  would  take  a  much  longer  time  than  it  really  has  taken 
to  adjust  political  affairs  in  the  late  Confederate  States. 

The  tragedies  of  the  early  days  of  reconstruction  are  mat 
ters  of  history,  and  are  not  a  part  of  my  story.  I  make  this 
digression  to  recall  the  chaos  which  confronted  President 
Grant,  who  had  had  previously  no  sort  of  experience  in  legis 
lative  or  executive  affairs  beyond  those  of  a  military  character. 
Reports  of  outrages  in  almost  every  State  south  of  the  Mason 
and  Dixon  line,  the  evident  wrong  on  both  sides,  and  the 
responsibility  for  the  protection  of  human  life  weighed  heav 
ily  upon  the  chief  executive.  Grant  appreciated  that  he  was 
without  power  to  issue  orders  as  he  had  done  when  he  was  in 
command  of  a  great  army. 

All  the  winter  of  1869-70  we  were  subject  to  daily  start 
ling  reports  of  public  scandals,  defalcations,  and  high-handed 


264  REMINISCENCES   OF 

outrages.  The  reckless  extravagance  practised  during  the 
war  had  so  demoralized  the  money-making  people  of  the 
country  that  they  were  ready  to  organize  any  sort  of  scheme 
out  of  which  they  could  expect  a  fortune.  In  addition  to 
this,  many  men  who  had  lately  been  in  the  service  had  gone 
West  and  were  undertaking  stupendous  enterprises  for  the 
development  of  the  then  Far  West.  They  were  asking  sub 
sidies  from  Congress  to  build  railroads  and  carry  on  various 
projects  that  would  expedite  the  advancement  of  the  new 
States  and  Territories  west  of  the  Mississippi  River.  Presi 
dent  Grant  was  so  trustful  of  his  friends  that  he  was  often 
times  greatly  deceived  and  placed  by  charlatans  in  unenvi 
able  positions.  Contractors  whose  occupation  was  gone  had 
to  turn  their  attention  from  furnishing  supplies  for  a  great 
army  to  industrial  undertakings  which  had  to  be  watched  to 
avoid  criticism  and  national  scandals. 

General  Logan  was  then  a  member  of  the  House,  and  hav 
ing  been  elected  commander-in-chief  of  the  Grand  Army  of 
the  Republic,  and  a  representative-at-large  from  the  State  of 
Illinois,  he  had  an  innumerable  constituency  who  made  insati 
able  demands  upon  him.  It  required  all  of  his  time  and  much 
of  my  own  to  attend  to  his  correspondence  and  to  obtain 
information  from  the  Treasury  Department  in  regard  to 
finances,  customs,  revenues,  and  the  various  branches  of  the 
Government  that  belong  to  the  Treasury  Department.  From 
the  War  Department  he  had  to  obtain  information  about  mili 
tary  affairs,  the  army,  and  the  various  military  posts  through 
out  the  country;  from  the  Navy  Department,  about  the  navy, 
its  organization,  the  position  of  the  various  squadrons,  and 
personal  information  as  to  the  whereabouts  and  condition  of 
the  officers  and  seamen;  from  the  Department  of  Justice,  the 
information  to  answer  all  sorts  of  inquiries  as  to  prisoners  and 
the  possibility  of  having  them  pardoned,  and  personal  inquiries 
as  to  the  condition  of  cases  being  prosecuted  by  the  Govern 
ment.  From  the  Interior  Department  he  had  to  find  out 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  265 

about  back  pay  and  pensions  and  the  various  tracts  of  land  sub 
ject  to  entry  under  the  Government;  also  all  about  Indian 
reservations,  Indian  posts,  and  other  important  facts  in  refer 
ence  to  the  various  tribes  of  Indians.  From  the  Department  of 
Agriculture  General  Logan  had  to  secure  information  in  regard 
to  agriculture  and  horticulture,  the  cultivation  of  our  rich 
farming  lands,  as  well  as  the  distribution  of  seeds,  plants,  and 
agricultural  reports;  from  the  Smithsonian  Institution,  all 
sorts  of  information  in  regard  to  scientific  matters.  General 
Logan  was  also  supposed  to  obtain  for  his  clients  what  they 
wished  to  know  in  regard  to  fish  and  fisheries  and  the  furnish 
ing  of  spawn  for  the  planting  of  the  streams  with  the  various 
fish  that  would  thrive  in  the  waters  of  certain  localities.  All 
this,  together  with  the  extensive  personal  correspondence  of 
his  constituents  and  the  members  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the 
Republic  of  the  whole  nation,  made  a  stupendous  task  which 
was  not  lightened  in  those  days  by  stenography  and  type 
writing.  Many  of  General  Logan's  correspondents  were 
grossly  insulted  if  it  were  intimated  that  any  of  these  letters 
were  written  by  a  clerk.  They  were  supposed  to  be  written 
by  General  Logan  himself. 

To  satisfy  these  unreasonable  demands,  I  cultivated  the 
art  of  counterfeiting  the  general's  penmanship  and  signature, 
so  that  many  thought  they  were  receiving  letters  from  the 
general  which  I  had  written  out  and  signed.  In  fact,  the 
general  had  only  time  to  sign  the  most  important  ones,  and 
I  must  not  forget  to  add  that  a  voluminous  correspondence 
was  going  on  all  the  time  in  regard  to  local  political  affairs. 
More  than  once  we  appreciated  that  "  brevity  is  the  soul  of 
wit,"  especially  when  these  correspondents  were  rather  long- 
winded.  I  remember  one  letter,  which  we  took  the  trouble 
to  measure,  was  written  in  a  very  close,  fine  hand  on  fools 
cap  paper.  When  pasted  end  to  end  it  reached  the  incredible 
length  of  thirty  feet  by  actual  measurement. 

So  intimate  were  the  relations  between  General  Logan  and 


266  REMINISCENCES  OF 

his  constituents  and  the  members  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the 
Republic  that  they  thought  he  could  accomplish  everything 
which  they  desired.  Not  infrequently  they  had  to  be  disap 
pointed,  and  to  reconcile  them  at  long  range  to  their  dis 
appointment  and  hold  their  friendship  required  skilful 
diplomacy  which  often  taxed  one's  strict  adherence  to  the 
truth. 

We  had  removed  from  Willard's  Hotel  into  a  large  brown- 
stone  house  which  formerly  stood  near  the  corner  of  New 
York  Avenue  and  Fourteenth  Street.  Thus  we  were  very 
near  the  White  House.  General  Butler's  residence  on  I  Street, 
Zachary  Chandler's  on  H  Street,  Speaker  Elaine's  in  the 
row  on  Fifteenth  Street  between  H  and  I  Streets,  General 
Garfield's  near  the  corner  of  I  and  Thirteenth  Streets,  made 
it  convenient  for  these  dignitaries  to  come  to  our  house,  or 
have  General  Logan  go  to  theirs,  to  consult  in  regard  to  many 
important  measures  before  Congress.  These  consultations 
were  often  held  after  an  informal  dinner  in  one  house  or 
another,  and  were  most  delightful  affairs.  After  dinner  the 
gentlemen  retired  to  the  library  or  parlor,  and  there  could 
indulge  in  the  freest  possible  expression  of  views  on  public 
affairs  without  the  fear  of  interruption  or  of  the  omnipresent 
newspaper  reporter. 

It  may  be  imagination,  but  from  knowledge  of  the  way  in 
which  affairs  are  handled  at  the  present  time  I  believe  that  pub 
lic  men  really  gave  more  time  to  their  public  duties  then  than 
they  do  now.  I  further  believe  that  there  were  fewer  instances 
when  members  and  senators  paired  with  other  members  and 
senators  and  went  to  attend  to  their  personal  affairs  during 
the  session  of  Congress.  I  know  one  thing,  that  General 
Logan  was  so  conscientious  in  regard  to  his  duties  as  a  repre 
sentative  and  senator  that  he  rarely  absented  himself  from 
the  halls  of  Congress  unless  he  was  confined  to  our  home  by 
illness.  It  was  an  unusual  thing  to  hear  that  it  was  impossi 
ble  to  have  a  quorum  in  the  House  or  Senate  on  account  of 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  267 

absentees  who  had  to  be  summoned  by  the  sergeant-at-arms 
before  the  public  business  could  proceed. 

General  Butler  was  then  a  member  of  the  House.  He  used 
frequently  to  boast  of  his  great  friendship  for  Grant  and  at 
the  same  time  insist  that  he  ran  the  administration.  Presi 
dent  Grant  facetiously  said  to  a  friend  one  day:  "I  under 
stand  that  Butler  thinks  that  he  runs  the  administration. 
He  comes  up  here  with  a  dozen  names  for  some  appointment, 
and  I  can  not  see  my  way  clear  to  give  him  more  than  one  of 
the  number  for  which  he  asks.  After  explaining  all  this  to 
him,  he  goes  away  very  well  satisfied.  It  is  a  very  different 
thing  with  Logan.  He  comes  here  with  a  dozen  names  which 
he  wishes  me  to  appoint  to  positions,  and,  after  listening  to 
his  pleas  and  demands  for  some  time,  I  try  to  provide  for  at  least 
ten  or  eleven.  Generally,  he  goes  off  with  ten  or  eleven  ap 
pointments,  and  I  hear  that  he  tells  his  friends  he  is  sorry  he 
has  no  influence  with  the  Grant  administration." 

President  Grant  had  as  much  confidence  in  General  Logan 
in  politics  as  he  had  in  military  affairs,  and  when  he  was 
worried  over  anything  he  generally  sent  for  him  to  come  to 
the  White  House  to  talk  over  issues  in  Congress  which  were 
under  consideration. 

There  were  a  few  men  who  had  been  conspicuous  in  the 
Confederacy,  either  in  the  army  or  in  Mr.  Davis's  cabinet, 
who  had  been  elected  to  represent  their  people  either  in  the 
House  or  Senate.  They  had  not  lost  any  of  their  Southern 
fire  or  prejudice,  and  occasionally  indulged  in  the  most  violent 
criticisms  of  the  Grant  administration  and  of  officers  in  com 
mand  of  posts  in  the  South.  Grant  knew  that  he  could  al 
ways  depend  upon  General  Logan's  coming  to  the  rescue,  and 
more  than  once  General  Logan  came  home  in  a  great  state 
of  excitement  after  having  defended  the  administration  or 
some  officer  who  was  in  command  of  a  military  post  in  the 
South. 

Mrs.  Grant  was  ably  supported  on  all  social  occasions  by 


268  REMINISCENCES  OF 

Mrs.  Matthews  and  Mrs.  Colfax,  the  mother  and  the  wife  of 
Vice-President  Colfax.  Both  Mrs.  Matthews  and  Mrs.  Col- 
fax  were  charming,  graceful  women  who  appreciated  their 
position  and  the  obligation  they  owed  to  the  people  who  had 
elevated  Mr.  Colfax  to  the  second  highest  position  within  their 
gift.  They  realized  that,  should  anything  happen  to  Presi 
dent  Grant,  Mr.  Colfax,  by  provision  of  the  Constitution, 
would  slip  into  the  very  highest  position  in  the  land.  They 
were  untiring  in  their  efforts  to  be  agreeable.  They  not  only 
gave  the  social  functions  required  of  the  Vice-President, 
but  many  more,  because  of  their  extensive  acquaintanceship 
with  people  from  every  State  in  the  Union,  Mr.  Colfax 
having  previously  been  speaker  of  the  House  of  Representa 
tives. 

The  majority  of  the  ladies  of  the  cabinet  were  eminently 
fitted  to  grace  their  positions  as  wives  of  cabinet  officers. 
Mrs.  Hamilton  Fish,  of  New  York,  as  the  leading  lady  of  the 
cabinet,  was  one  of  the  most  superb  women  of  her  time.  In 
imagination  I  can  see  her  to-day  as  she  appeared  on  all  occa 
sions,  the  personification  of  dignity,  graciousness,  and  cordial 
ity.  Her  manner  put  the  timid  at  ease,  and  restrained  the 
overpresumptuous.  Notwithstanding  her  age,  she  was  so 
vigorous  mentally  and  physically  that  every  one  considered 
her  much  younger  than  she  really  was.  Her  style  of  dress 
was  regal  without  the  slightest  suggestion  of  inappropriate- 
ness.  She  had  mastered  the  .manual  of  etiquette  in  her  youth, 
and  found,  when  she  came  to  Washington,  there  was  nothing 
new  for  her  to  learn,  except  the  relative  rank  of  officials  and 
the  Diplomatic  Corps  at  the  national  capital.  Her  experience 
as  a  member  of  the  best  society  and  as  the  wife  of  Hamilton 
Fish,  in  the  various  positions  he  had  held  in  the  State  of  New 
York,  fitted  her  to  preside  over  the  home  of  the  Secretary  of 
State.  She  was  ably  assisted  by  her  daughters,  Mrs.  Benja 
min  and  Miss  Edith  Fish,  subsequently  Mrs.  Northcote,  wife 
of  the  son  of  Lord  Northcote.  Mrs.  Fish  was  punctilious  in 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  269 

the  observance  of  all  the  duties  of  the  wife  of  the  Secretary  of 
State  and  next  in  rank  to  the  wife  of  the  Vice-President. 

One  morning  Washington  was  thrown  into  a  spasm  of  horror 
over  the  stigma  brought  upon  society  by  the  marriage  of  Sena 
tor  Christiancy,  of  Michigan,  to  an  obscure  young  German 
girl  occupying  an  insignificant  position  in  one  of  the  depart 
ments.  The  disparagement  between  their  ages  and  positions 
being  considered  appalling,  a  tremendous  hubbub  was  raised. 
Senators'  wives  were  indignant  and  vowed  ostracism  of  the 
poor,  unfortunate  girl  who  dared  to  enter  the  sacred  social 
senatorial  circle  as  the  wife  of  a  man  old  enough  to  be  her 
father,  if  not  her  grandfather. 

Never  a  word  came  from  Mrs.  Fish,  the  recognized  leader 
in  social  affairs.  Mrs.  Grant's  position  being  fixed  by  Thomas 
Jefferson,  the  author  of  "Etiquette  at  the  American  Court," 
was  not  supposed  to  venture  as  to  what  was  to  be  done  with 
the  offender  against  the  dignity  of  the  senatorial  coterie. 

While  the  excitement  was  waxing  hotter  and  hotter,  Mrs. 
Fish's  carriage  stopped  at  our  door  one  Thursday  morning  at 
about  ten-thirty  o'clock.  The  footman  came  to  the  door, 
rang  the  bell,  and  handed  Mrs.  Fish's  card  to  our  servant, 
the  footman  saying:  "Mrs.  Fish's  compliments  to  Madame 
Logan,  and  Mrs.  Fish  will  be  obliged  if  Madame  Logan  will 
grant  her  an  interview  about  an  important  matter."  I 
directed  the  servant  to  have  Mrs.  Fish  shown  into  the  parlor 
at  once,  and  I  came  down  to  greet  her,  as  I  was  naturally 
flattered  by  so  early  a  call  from  Mrs.  Fish,  whom  I  honored 
and  loved.  She  made  quite  sure  we  were  alone,  and  then  said : 
"I  have  come  to  talk  to  you  about  the  Christiancy  affair." 

I  replied:  "Dear  Mrs.  Fish,  I  shall  be  delighted  to  follow 
you  in  the  matter,"  her  motherly  smile  assuring  me  that  no 
ill  boded  the  poor  little  unsophisticated  victim  of  remorseless 
criticism  and  injustice.  She  then  said:  "I  am  glad  you  will 
agree  to  join  me  in  a  quiet  vindication  of  the  inoffensive  girl 
who  has  been  so  mercilessly  criticised.  I  want  you  to  go 


270  REMINISCENCES  OF 

with  me  this  afternoon  (senatorial  day"!  to  call  on  Mrs. 
Christiancy,  and,  if  she  is  not  too  frightened  and  will  see  us, 
we  will  simply  pay  her  the  respect  due  a  senator's  wife,  say 
ing  nothing  about  the  excitement,  invite  her  to  call  on  us,  and 
come  away."  I  said:  "I  shall  be  glad  to  go  with  you,  not 
withstanding  the  fact  that  it  is  Mrs.  Christiancy's  place  to 
call  on  me  first.  She  probably  does  not  know  her  duty,  and 
I  am  sure  will  be  grateful  for  the  recognition." 

We  went  to  call  about  four  o'clock  and  found  Mrs.  Chris 
tiancy  in  very  unpretentious  quarters,  evidently  much  em 
barrassed  by  the  notoriety  which  had  been  given  her  on 
account  of  Senator  Christiancy's  position  as  United  States 
senator.  She  was  a  shrinking,  modest  young  woman,  who  be 
trayed  the  fact  that  she  was  as  guileless  as  a  child.  As  soon 
as  she  recovered  from  her  shyness,  her  face  brightened  up, 
and  with  innate  grace  she  expressed  her  gratitude  for  the  honor 
done  her.  After  the  announcement  that  Mrs.  Fish  had  called 
on  Mrs.  Christiancy,  and  that  Senator  and  Mrs.  Christiancy 
had  dined  with  Secretary  and  Mrs.  Fish,  no  further  adverse 
comments  were  made  about  the  incongruous  marriage  of  the 
doty  senator. 

Mrs.  and  Miss  Boutwell,  the  wife  and  daughter  of  the  Secre 
tary  of  the  Treasury,  were  plain,  New  England  women  of  great 
refinement  and  reticence.  The  Boutwells  then  lived  in  a 
noted  boarding-house  on  Twelfth  Street,  kept  by  the  no  less 
noted  Mrs.  Rines,  where  many  of  the  most  distinguished  men 
of  the  nation  and  their  families  lived  for  years.  There  were 
few  millionaires  in  official  life  in  the  '6o's.  Apartment  houses 
were  unknown.  A  majority  of  officials  and  their  families 
lived  in  more  or  less  pretentious  boarding-houses  and  paid 
quite  as  extravagant  prices  for  their  rooms  and  board  as  are 
paid  for  the  far  more  comfortable  apartments  of  to-day. 
They  had  not  the  privacy  and  convenience  offered  by  the  fur 
nished  housekeeping  apartments,  now  so  numerous. 

General  John  A.  Rawlins,  Secretary  of  War,  lived  in  a  modest 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  271 

house  on  the  corner  of  M  and  Twelfth  Streets.  Mrs.  Rawlins, 
like  her  husband,  had  very  poor  health.  They  had  four  chil 
dren,  the  care  of  whom  occupied  much  of  Mrs.  Rawlins's  time. 

George  M.  Robeson,  of  Trenton,  New  Jersey,  was  ap 
pointed  Secretary  of  the  Navy.  He  was  a  widower  at  the 
time  of  his  appointment,  but  afterward  married  Mrs.  Aulick, 
widow  of  Commodore  Aulick.  Mr.  Robeson  rented  a  com 
modious  house  on  K  Street,  formerly  occupied  by  Secretary 
Stanton,  of  Mr.  Lincoln's  cabinet.  Both  the  Secretary  and 
Mrs.  Robeson  were  fond  of  society  and  understood  the  art 
of  entertaining  royally.  They  had  travelled  extensively  and 
had  always  lived  handsomely.  Mr.  Robeson  was  a  veritable 
ban  vivant.  Soon  after  the  ist  of  January  they  began  a  series 
of  entertainments  which  were  long  remembered  by  the  for 
tunate  guests  who  were  honored  by  invitations  to  them. 
Later  on  Secretary  Robeson  built  a  large  house  on  Sixteenth 
Street,  where  they  continued  their  lavish  entertainments. 
While  Secretary  Robeson  was  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  reverses 
overtook  these  hospitable  people,  and  the  auctioneer's  voice 
was  heard  in  the  drawing-room,  library,  dining-room,  and 
chambers  of  this  pretentious  home,  crying:  "Who  bids?" 
for  this,  that,  or  the  other  many  valuable  treasures  that  the 
Secretary  and  Mrs.  Robeson  had  collected.  Secretary  and 
Mrs.  Robeson,  like  legions  of  others  who  live  for  a  period  in 
Washington  society,  finally  passed  on  with  none  of  the  multi 
tude  whom  they  had  entertained  following  them  in  their  exit, 
when  the  clouds  of  adversity  had  overshadowed  their  path 
way. 

General  George  Williams,  of  Oregon,  was  appointed  Attor 
ney-General,  greatly  to  the  delight  of  his  beautiful  and  ambi 
tious  wife,  whose  elevation  from  obscurity  on  the  frontier  to 
the  wife  of  a  United  States  senator  had  inspired  her  with  an 
ambition  which  was  destined  to  be  her  undoing.  They  moved 
into  a  large  house  on  Rhode  Island  Avenue,  near  Connecticut 
Avenue,  close  to  where  Saint  Matthew's  church  now  stands. 


272  REMINISCENCES  OF 

In  this  gorgeously  furnished  house  they  lived  in  great  splendor, 
notices  appearing  daily  in  the  newspapers  describing  Mrs.  Wil- 
liams's  rich  gowns  and  elaborate  social  functions.  Mrs.  Wil 
liams  became  so  elated  over  her  sway  that  she  undertook  to 
change  the  time-honored  rules  of  etiquette  at  the  national 
capital.  She  induced  Mrs.  Grant  to  call  the  ladies  of  the 
cabinet  together  in  the  White  House  to  consider  the  changes 
she  deemed  necessary.  At  the  same  time  Mrs.  Grant  in 
sisted  that  it  was  foolish  and  could  not  be  done,  but  gratified 
Mrs.  Williams's  whim  by  calling  the  ladies  together  for  a  con 
fidential  talk  about  social  affairs.  The  majority,  in  fact  all 
but  Mrs.  Williams,  agreed  with  Mrs.  Grant  that  they  had 
no  power  to  change  Jefferson's  code  of  official  etiquette.  Mrs. 
Williams  said  she,  for  one,  would  not  make  the  first  call  on 
the  families  of  senators.  She  very  unwisely  so  informed  many 
of  the  senators'  wives  and  insisted  they  must  call  first  on 
her,  as  the  wife  of  the  Attorney- General.  This  provoked 
the  indignation  of  the  senatorial  ladies  and  many  of  their 
husbands,  among  them  Senator  Matthew  H.  Carpenter,  of 
Wisconsin. 

Chief  Justice  Salmon  P.  Chase  died,  and  General  Williams's 
name,  on  account  of  his  ability  as  a  jurist  and  man  of  high 
character,  was  sent  to  the  Senate  as  the  proposed  successor  of 
Mr.  Chase.  The  moment  the  Senate  went  into  executive  ses 
sion  Senator  Carpenter  made  a  violent  speech  against  the  con 
firmation  of  General  Williams's  name,  making  many  charges 
against  Mrs.  Williams,  accusing  her  of  numberless  peccadilloes, 
acceptance  of  presents  without  General  Williams's  knowledge 
from  persons  who  had  cases  before  the  Department  of  Justice, 
presumption,  and  other  undesirable  qualities  in  the  person  of 
the  wife  of  the  Chief  Justice.  General  Williams's  confirmation 
was  defeated,  the  real  trouble  originating  in  Mrs.  Williams's 
arrogance  toward  the  wives  of  senators  who  joined  Carpenter 
in  his  determination  to  humiliate  Mrs.  Williams.  Therefore, 
notwithstanding  General  Williams's  masterly  ability  and  dis- 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  273 

tinguished  statesmanship,  they  eventually  retired  under  the 
whips  of  outrageous  criticism. 

Mr.  Columbus  Delano,  of  Ohio,  was  made  Secretary  of  the 
Interior.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Delano  were  wholesome,  ingenuous 
people.  They  appreciated  the  honor  which  had  been  con 
ferred  upon  Mr.  Delano  by  his  appointment  as  a  member  of 
President  Grant's  cabinet.  It  is  possible  that  Mr.  Delano 
was  too  honest  a  man  to  contend  with  the  insidious  cormo 
rants  who  have  ever  besieged  the  Interior  Department  and, 
like  many  of  his  predecessors  and  successors,  was  unable  to 
escape  the  entanglements  of  scandals  that  have  ever  pursued 
the  Secretary  of  the  Interior.  Mrs.  Delano  was  a  motherly, 
unassuming,  loyal  wife  and  mother,  who  made  no  attempt 
to  introduce  changes  in  the  mode  of  etiquette  in  Washington. 
She  tried  to  conform  to  all  the  rules  laid  down  for  the  mem 
bers  of  the  cabinet  and  their  families.  She  gave  all  the  en 
tertainments,  discharged  all  the  duties  supposed  to  be  obliga 
tory  upon  the  ladies  of  cabinet  officers'  households,  and  into 
them  she  put  real  hospitality  and  pleasure.  She  extended 
a  hearty  welcome  to  her  callers,  repaid  their  visits  as  soon  as 
she  could,  and  acknowledged  every  courtesy  extended  her  with 
a  grace  born  of  innate  refinement. 

The  latter-day  ungracious  manner  of  receiving  calls,  and 
the  almost  universal  custom  of  returning  visits  by  sending 
cards  through  the  mail  or  by  footmen,  was  almost  unknown. 
If  the  ladies  of  the  cabinet  and  the  wives  of  other  officials 
felt  it  a  tax  upon  their  strength  and  time  to  receive  callers 
once  a  week,  they  never  made  themselves  disagreeable  by 
expressing  their  distaste  for  their  duties. 

General  Horace  Capron,  of  Illinois,  was  chosen  commis 
sioner  of  the  Agricultural  Bureau,  then  a  bureau  of  the  Inte 
rior  Department.  General  Capron,  in  addition  to  his  fitness 
for  the  position  on  account  of  his  knowledge  of  agriculture, 
hailing  as  he  did  from  the  great  Prairie  State  with  its  won 
derful  agricultural  resources,  was  a  most  accomplished  and 


274  REMINISCENCES  OF 

patriotic  man,  who  soon  elevated  the  bureau  and  its  important 
work  to  a  high  place  on  the  list  of  bureaus,  and,  doubtless  by 
the  methods  he  introduced,  paved  the  way  for  its  becoming  a 
department.  Mrs.  Capron  was  a  lovely  woman.  Their  house 
on  N  Street,  near  the  corner  of  Twelfth,  became  worthy  of 
being  added  to  the  official  list.  Their  receptions  were  largely 
attended,  proving  their  popularity.  During  the  visit  of  the 
Japanese  embassy  at  this  time  it  was  discovered  that  the 
Japanese  visitors  were  really  a  commission  sent  to  secure 
teachers  and  agents  from  every  department  of  the  Govern 
ment  to  go  to  Japan  to  teach  the  Japanese  Western  civiliza 
tion.  The  Japanese  also  desired  to  learn  data  connected 
with  every  phase  of  a  republican  government,  as  well  as 
finance,  agriculture,  and  various  industries. 

General  Capron  accepted  an  appointment  under  the  Jap 
anese  Government,  and  went  to  Japan  to  teach  them  agricul 
ture.  Many  other  Americans  returned  with  the  visitors  to 
engage  in  initiating  these  Orientals  in  American  methods  of 
doing  things,  which  probably  partly  accounts  for  the  rapid 
advancement  of  the  Japanese. 

Hon.  John  A.  Creswell,  of  Maryland,  was  appointed  Post 
master-General.  He  was  an  eminent  lawyer,  and  his  admin 
istration  of  the  Post-Office  Department  was  the  most  success 
ful  of  any  up  to  that  time.  He  was  a  man  of  ambitions,  and 
his  beautiful  house  on  the  corner  of  Eighteenth  and  I  Streets 
is  still  the  property  of  Mrs.  Creswell.  In  this  palatial  home 
General  and  Mrs.  Creswell  gave  superb  dinners  and  receptions, 
and  extended  to  all  of  their  guests  a  warm  welcome.  General 
Creswell  had  occupied  a  prominent  position  in  the  State  of 
Maryland;  therefore  Mrs.  Creswell  had  much  experience  in 
the  matter  of  entertaining,  and,  being  a  person  of  unusual 
amiability  and  charm,  won  the  admiration  of  every  one. 

Every  member  of  the  cabinet  and  his  family  delighted  to 
carry  out  all  the  usual  schedule  of  social  affairs,  and,  as  the 
city  was  full  of  visitors  from  every  city  in  the  Union,  it  was 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  275 

probably  as  brilliant  a  winter  as  ever  was  passed  in  Washing 
ton.  I  can  not  think  that  it  is  an  imagination  when  I  say  that 
all  officials  of  the  Government  worked  more  assiduously  than 
they  do  to-day.  It  might  have  been  because  of  the  fact  that 
there  were  all  sorts  of  matters  that  had  to  be  attended  to 
promptly.  Absenteeism  from  the  cabinet  or  any  other  branch 
of  the  Government  was  a  very  rare  thing,  and  I  shall  always 
believe  that  every  one  did  his  part  nobly.  But  for  the  jeal 
ousies  and  political  rivalries,  it  would  have  been  one  of  the 
most  delightful  winters  ever  known  in  Washington. 

Admiral  and  Mrs.  Porter  were  among  the  hospitable  enter 
tainers  in  the  city  in  their  handsome  home  on  H  Street. 
Admiral  and  Mrs.  Dahlgren  were  for  some  time  at  the  navy- 
yard.  Mrs.  Dahlgren,  with  her  genial  disposition,  literary 
taste,  and  unusual  intelligence,  made  their  entertainments 
among  the  most  popular  in  the  city.  The  receptions  of  Pro 
fessor  Henry,  of  the  Smithsonian  Institution,  and  his  inter 
esting  family  were  especially  charming,  as  they  had  some 
thing  out  of  the  usual  to  show  from  the  wonderful  scientific 
collections  under  his  supervision.  Hon.  Alexander  and  Mrs. 
Shepherd  gave  lavish  entertainments.  I  regret  that  space 
forbids  a  more  extensive  description  and  enumeration  of  social 
affairs  which  were  once  so  attractive  in  Washington. 


CHAPTER  XI 

MOOTED  REMOVAL  OF  THE  CAPITAL  TO  SAINT  LOUIS  —  IMPROVE 
MENT  OF  WASHINGTON  A  RESULT  OF  THIS  MOVEMENT  —  RE 
DUCING  THE  ARMY  TO  A  PEACE  BASIS  —  SHERMAN'S  HOSTILITY 
TO  LOGAN'S  MEASURE  —  A  CONGRESSIONAL  SCANDAL  —  LOGAN 
CHECKMATES  BUTLER  —  DEATH  OF  GENERAL  THOMAS  —  HON 
ORS  TO  THE  MEMORY  OF  GENERAL  RAWLINS  —  GENERAL  LOGAN'S 
VICTORIOUS  CAMPAIGN  FOR  THE  SENATORSHIP  AND  MY  SHARE 
IN  IT  —  REMOVAL  TO  CHICAGO  —  THE  GREAT  FIRE  —  CHAIR 
MAN  OF  THE  SENATE  MILITARY  COMMITTEE  —  THE  ABBOTT- 
RANSOM  CASE  —  WHITE  HOUSE  NEW  YEAR'S  RECEPTION,  1872 
—  SUBSEQUENT  SOCIAL  FESTIVITIES  —  DEATH  OF  MRS.  BEL- 
KNAP  AND  OF  OUR  ADOPTED  DAUGHTER  KATE  LOGAN 

WHILE  affairs  socially  were  moving  so  smoothly  there 
were  many  important  matters  arising  in  Congress.  There 
was  a  proposition  to  remove  the  capital  to  Saint  Louis,  as  a 
more  central  location  for  the  capital  of  the  United  States  than 
that  of  the  District  of  Columbia.  General  Logan  championed 
the  movement  for  the  removal  of  the  capital,  on  the  ground 
that  the  present  location  was  made  at  a  very  early  time  in 
the  history  of  the  Government,  and  the  vast  area  west  of  the 
Alleghanies  had  not  been  considered  by  white  men  and  was 
only  inhabited  by  the  various  tribes  of  Indians  and  aborigines 
that  were  to  be  found  in  what  subsequently  became  the  States 
of  Illinois,  Wisconsin,  Michigan,  and  the  great  territories  that 
have  added  many  new  States  to  the  galaxy  of  the  Union. 

While  the  movement  may  have  been  abortive,  and  from  a 
historic  point  of  view  justly  failed,  it  had  the  effect  of  arous 
ing  a  spirit  of  pride  in  the  citizens  of  the  District  of  Columbia, 
and  caused  them  to  become  active  in  the  introduction  of 
improvements  of  all  kinds,  especially  in  the  municipal  gov- 

276 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  277 

ernment.  They  succeeded  in  organizing  a  Territorial  govern 
ment  for  the  District  and  in  appointing  a  governor  and  a  sec 
retary  of  state,  and  in  organizing  a  Board  of  Public  Works, 
who  deserve  great  credit  for  the  transformation  of  the  city 
of  Washington  from  a  slow-going  Southern  city  of  magnifi 
cent  distances  and  void  of  every  evidence  of  beauty  and  prog 
ress  into  the  progressive  and  beautiful  city  of  to-day.  But 
for  the  indomitable  courage,  unfailing  energy,  and  patriotic 
devotion  of  such  men  as  Alexander  Shepherd,  Crosby  S. 
Noyes,  J.  W.  Douglas,  A.  B.  Mullett,  Kilburn  Claggett,  and 
others,  the  movement  for  the  removal  of  the  capital  to  the 
West  might  have  succeeded,  and  Washington  would  never  have 
attained  its  great  beauty  and  attractiveness.  The  Board  of 
Public  Works  employed  skilful  engineers  who  levelled  the  per 
pendicular  hills  and  filled  up  the  deep  chasms  that  had  made 
Washington  unattractive  and  impracticable.  Pennsylvania 
Avenue  being  the  first  street  in  the  city  to  be  paved  with 
modern  paving,  the  completion  of  the  work  was  an  event 
fraught  with  so  much  importance  that  it  was  celebrated  by 
a  great  carnival. 

This  seemed  to  be  the  beginning  of  the  prodigious  work  of 
the  Board  of  Public  Works  and  those  in  authority  in  the  Ter 
ritorial  government.  Washington  had  been  fortunate  in  hav 
ing  secured  years  before,  as  superintendent  of  the  botanical 
gardens,  that  wonderful  genius  William  Smith,  the  great 
Scotch  horticulturist.  Previously  the  botanical  gardens  had 
done  little  else  than  furnish  plants,  seeds,  and  floral  speci 
mens  for  the  members  of  Congress.  William  Smith  had  be 
come  greatly  interested  in  L'Enfant's  wonderful  plan  for  the 
capital  of  the  United  States,  and  had,  as  far  as  he  could, 
planted  trees  along  the  streets  and  avenues  of  the  city.  The 
Board  of  Public  Works  interested  him  enthusiastically  in  their 
scheme  to  beautify  Washington,  and  in  a  few  years  they  had 
accomplished  such  wonders  as  to  make  a  proposition  for  the 
removal  of  the  capital  seem  ridiculous,  and  again  confirmed 


278  REMINISCENCES  OF 

forever  the  action  of  the  earlier  commissioners  in  making 
Washington  the  immovable  capital  of  this  great  country. 

This  question  created  the  most  intense  interest,  and  the  gal 
leries  of  Congress  were  crowded  day  after  day.  Be  it  said  to 
the  everlasting  shame  of  the  then  citizens  of  Washington,  and 
of  many  representatives  in  Congress,  that  they  heaped  such 
ignominy  upon  Governor  Shepherd  and  his  associates  that  he 
departed  from  Washington  a  heart-broken  man,  and  sought 
a  home  in  old  Mexico,  where  he  lived  until  his  death  a  few 
years  ago.  Others  of  his  associates  were  accused  of  limitless 
graft,  and  their  families  have  since  had  a  great  struggle  for 
existence.  Time  has  vindicated  these  men,  but,  alas,  too  late 
for  them  to  have  had  the  satisfaction  of  knowing  that  their 
herculean  achievements  had  at  last  been  appreciated. 

Another  question  that  was  all-absorbing  was  the  reduction 
of  the  army  to  a  peace  basis.  It  might  have  been  easy  to 
solve  the  problem  of  mustering  out  regiments  and  officers 
down  to  the  peace  standard,  but  to  do  so  without  readjusting 
the  salaries  of  those  that  were  to  remain  would  have  created 
universal  resentment.  Therefore  General  Logan,  as  chair 
man  of  the  committee  on  military  affairs  in  the  House,  had  to 
work  very  hard  and  call  into  conference  men  interested  in 
the  army  and  its  requirements,  who  were  both  in  and  out  of 
Congress.  Personally,  he  had  no  desire  to  reduce  the  salary 
of  the  General,  Lieutenant- General,  and  the  officers  of  higher 
rank,  but  as  it  was  deemed  necessary  to  reduce  the  pay  of 
commissioned  and  non-commissioned  officers,  it  seemed  unfair 
to  allow  the  officers  of  higher  rank  to  retain  the  same  pay  they 
received  during  the  war.  These  men,  however,  had  most 
gallant  records,  and  made  many  friends  who,  looking  at  it 
from  a  personal  standpoint,  were  anxious,  as  far  as  possible,  to 
keep  up  these  officers'  pay  to  the  war  standard.  This  ques 
tion  can  be  said  to  have  been  among  the  first  to  bring  about 
a  break  of  friendship  between  General  Logan  and  General 
Sherman,  who  was  then  General  of  the  Army. 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  279 

There  were  quite  a  number  of  military  men  in  Congress 
whose  constituents  demanded  that  a  reduction  of  the  army 
should  be  accompanied  by  a  reduction  of  the  salaries  of  the 
higher  officers  of  the  army.  General  Logan  felt  that  the  private 
soldier,  non-commissioned  and  subordinate  officers  were  not 
receiving  too  much  pay,  but  that  the  higher-rank  officers' 
pay  was  greatly  out  of  proportion  when  compared  to  that  of 
the  lower-grade  officers.  Therefore,  he  began  to  scale  the 
salaries  from  the  General  of  the  Army  down,  and  reported  a 
bill  providing  that  the  General  should  receive  $12,000  instead 
of  $19,000  a  year;  the  Lieu  tenant- General,  $10,000  instead  of 
$14,000;  the  major-generals,  $8,000  instead  of  $10,000;  brig 
adiers,  $5,000  instead  of  $7,000;  colonels,  $3,500;  lieutenant- 
colonels,  $3,000;  majors,  $2,500;  captains  (mounted),  $2,000; 
captains  (foot),  $1,800;  first  lieutenants,  $1,600;  second 
lieutenants,  $1,400;  the  pay  of  the  non-commissioned  officers 
and  privates  to  remain  unchanged. 

General  Sherman  wrote  a  long  letter  to  the  committee,  bit 
terly  complaining  of  the  injustice  of  General  Logan's  plan, 
but  the  schedule  was  received  with  so  much  favor,  as  being 
eminently  just,  that  General  Logan  carried  his  point,  and  his 
bill  providing  for  the  reorganization  of  the  army  on  a  peace 
basis  was  adopted. 

All  this  meant  a  great  deal  of  work.  At  that  time  I  was 
so  occupied  with  hunting  up  facts  about  the  armies  of  every 
country  and  the  rules  which  had  governed  our  army  from  the 
time  of  the  Revolution  that  I  had  little  time  to  do  anything 
else.  I  really  enjoyed  making  researches  for  the  general,  so 
that  he  could  take  up  the  question  when  not  engaged  at  the 
Capitol,  and  thus  I  enabled  him  to  get  at  the  very  best  pos 
sible  basis  upon  which  to  report  his  bill. 

In  the  midst  of  the  discussion  of  the  army  bill  reports  of 
scandalous  conduct  on  the  part  of  members  of  Congress  were 
rife.  From  time  immemorial  there  have  always  been  de 
linquents  who  have,  by  their  improper  and  dishonest  prac- 


280  REMINISCENCES  OF 

tices,  brought  harsh  criticism  down  upon  public  men.  Many 
Northerners  had  gone  South  and  established  homes  in  the 
different  States  lately  in  rebellion,  some  investing  their  all 
in  these  homes  and  business  enterprises,  which  they  subse 
quently  were  forced  to  defend  with  unparalleled  heroism. 
Unfortunately,  some  of  these  men  were  very  unworthy,  and 
removed  to  the  South  thinking  that  they  would  have  a 
greater  opportunity  for  political  preferment,  and  to  become 
conspicuous  in  public  affairs,  than  they  would  ever  have  in 
the  North.  They  expected  to  profit  by  the  ignorance  of  the 
colored  people,  and  in  that  way  to  monopolize  the  offices — 
both  State  and  national.  There  were  many  of  these  "  carpet 
baggers"  in  Congress,  and  some  of  them  were  a  disgrace  to 
that  body  and  to  their  country.  It  began  to  be  whispered  that 
some  of  these  gentlemen  were  selling  their  appointments  to 
cadetships  at  West  Point  and  Annapolis,  and  that  one  member 
from  North  Carolina — one  Whittemore,  who  posed  as  a  Repub 
lican  and  an  honest  man — had  sold  a  cadetship  to  West  Point 
for  the  paltry  sum,  as  I  remember  it,  of  three  hundred  dollars. 
Charges  were  made  before  the  military  committee.  Gen 
eral  Logan  investigated  the  matter  thoroughly,  summoning 
before  the  committee  all  persons  who  were  supposed  to  have 
had  something  to  do  with  the  transaction.  He  succeeded  in 
bringing  before  that  committee  indubitable  evidence  of  the 
truth  of  the  accusation.  Led  by  General  Logan,  the  com 
mittee  reported  the  matter  fully  to  the  House  with  the  recom 
mendation  that  Whittemore  be  expelled.  General  Ben  Butler 
was  a  conspicuous  figure  at  this  session.  He  was  very  fond 
of  antagonizing  men  like  General  Logan,  but  he  did  not  un 
derstand  General  Logan  as  well  as  he  thought  he  did.  Whit 
temore  went  to  Butler  and  begged  Butler  to  defend  him  on 
the  floor  of  the  House.  I  shall  never  forget  the  scene,  as  I 
sat  in  the  gallery  and  watched  the  proceedings  the  day  the 
Whittemore  case  came  up.  Every  inch  of  space  on  the  floor 
and  in  the  galleries  was  occupied.  General  Logan,  as  chair- 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  281 

man  of  the  military  committee,  soon  after  the  morning  hour 
addressed  the  speaker  to  make  his  report  on  the  case.  He  had 
not  gone  far  with  his  remarks  and  the  reading  of  the  report 
when  General  Butler  arose  in  his  place  and  attempted  a  de 
fence  of  Whittemore.  General  Logan  had  been  advised  that 
Butler  would  probably  do  this,  so  he  quietly  hunted  up  the 
statute  which  forbids  a  member  of  Congress  to  act  as  attor 
ney  for  another  member  in  any  case  before  the  House.  He 
merely  asked  Mr.  Butler  whether  he  wished  to  be  considered 
the  attorney  of  Mr.  Whittemore.  Without  hesitation  Mr. 
Butler  replied  that  he  did  wish  to  be  so  considered,  whereupon 
General  Logan  read  the  clause  of  the  statute  mentioned,  which 
fell  like  a  pall  on  General  Butler  and  the  whole  House  and 
galleries.  Butler  stammered  a  disclaimer,  explaining  that  it 
was  a  matter  of  sympathy  on  his  part.  General  Logan  fol 
lowed  this  up  by  a  scathing  rebuke  to  a  man  who  would  un 
dertake  to  apologize  for  a  criminal  who  had  violated  the  law, 
and  who,  as  a  member  of  Congress,  had  disgraced  his  State. 
One  of  the  general's  greatest  gifts  was  that  of  eloquence  as  a 
prosecutor,  and  perhaps  no  greater  arraignment  of  a  criminal 
has  ever  been  heard  in  the  House  of  Representatives.  His 
plea  for  the  preservation  of  the  honor  and  integrity  of  the 
members  of  the  House  has  never  been  equalled.  General 
Butler  withdrew  from  the  floor  of  the  House,  but  got  little 
sympathy  from  his  friends  on  account  of  his  downfall  in  the 
attempt  to  defend  Whittemore.  Whittemore  was  driven 
from  the  House  in  disgrace  as  he  should  have  been. 

I  may  be  wrong  and  may  overestimate  General  Logan's 
keen  sense  of  honor  and  integrity  in  representing  the  people, 
but  I  can  not  help  feeling  that  if  those  who  came  after  him  had 
been  as  strong  champions  of  the  preservation  of  the  honor  of 
members  of  the  House  and  Senate  as  was  General  Logan,  there 
would  not  have  been  the  very  many  scandals  that  have  reflected 
upon  our  national  and  State  legislators  in  these  later  years. 

In  the  month  of  April  General  George  H.  Thomas  died. 


282  REMINISCENCES  OF 

He  was  mourned  throughout  the  whole  nation  as  a  gallant 
soldier.  Memorial  services  were  held  throughout  the  coun 
try.  General  Logan,  being  the  commander-in-chief  of  the 
Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  caused  a  meeting  to  be  held 
by  the  Department  of  the  Potomac  in  Masonic  Hall,  which 
was  then  the  largest  auditorium  in  the  city.  The  hall  was 
profusely  decorated  with  mourning,  draped  flags,  and  other 
evidences  of  the  grief  of  the  nation  at  the  untimely  death  of 
this  great  soldier.  General  Logan  was  the  orator  of  the  eve 
ning,  and  paid  a  glowing  tribute  to  the  memory  of  General 
Thomas,  forgetting,  in  his  grief  at  the  nation's  loss,  the  personal 
differences  which  had  existed  between  him  and  the  dead  sol 
dier,  thus  giving  another  illustration  of  the  unusual  mag 
nanimity  and  nobility  of  his  own  character. 

On  April  30  General  Logan  called  the  attention  of  the  House 
to  the  conspicuous  ingratitude  with  which  the  memory  of 
General  John  A.  Rawlins,  late  Secretary  of  War  under  Grant's 
administration,  and  the  faithful  adjutant-general  of  General 
Grant  during  the  Civil  War,  had  been  treated,  in  that  his  re 
mains  were  still  lying  in  a  vault  in  the  Congressional  cemetery, 
eight  months  after  his  death,  and  had  not  had  honorable 
burial.  He  asked  that  a  suitable  place  be  selected,  suggest 
ing  that  General  Rawlins's  remains  should  be  taken  to  Arling 
ton  and  interred  in  that  cemetery.  Others  joined  in  suggest 
ing  that  a  monument  also  be  erected  to  General  Rawlins. 
General  Logan  felt  very  deeply  on  this  subject,  as  he  always 
recognized  in  General  Rawlins  one  of  the  most  gifted  men  in 
the  army  and  one  of  the  most  earnest  patriots  of  the  Civil 
War.  As  a  result  of  this  movement  General  Rawlins  was 
buried  in  Arlington  and  a  full-length  statue  of  him  was  erected 
on  the  south  side  of  Pennsylvania  Avenue  in  Market  Space, 
where  it  still  remains. 

The  session  was  a  very  long  one,  and  I  remained  in  Wash 
ington  until  June,  before  taking  the  children  to  our  home  in 
Carbondale,  Illinois.  General  Logan  was  very  late  in  reach- 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  283 

ing  home,  but  found  plenty  of  work  awaiting  him.  The  can 
didates  for  the  local  offices  of  representative  and  senator  were 
clamoring  for  him  to  come  to  help  them  in  their  campaign 
for  election  to  the  legislature.  Political  feeling  ran  high  in 
the  State  and  General  Logan  was  busy  canvassing.  He  was 
much  embarrassed  by  the  continued  importunities  of  men 
desiring  appointment  to  official  positions.  They  believed 
Grant  would  not  refuse  him  anything  he  might  ask  for  his 
friends.  He  realized  better  than  they  did  that  there  was  a 
limit,  and  that  there  were  innumerable  petitioners  for  every 
thing  within  the  gift  of  the  President.  He  tried,  however, 
to  do  all  he  could  for  every  applicant. 

General  Logan's  friends  insisted  that  he  should  enter 
the  senatorial  race  before  the  legislature  met  on  January  i, 
1871.  Ex- Governor  Palmer  and  General  Oglesby  were  also 
candidates.  A  majority  of  the  candidates  for  both  houses 
were  men  of  high  character  and,  if  elected,  would  know  no 
bosses  or  any  power  but  the  dictates  of  their  own  consciences 
and  the  maintenance  of  their  principles  in  the  selection  of  a 
United  States  senator.  Their  choice  for  United  States  sena 
tor  would  be  based  absolutely  on  their  desire  to  elect  the  men 
whom  they  believed  would  serve  the  best  interests  of  the 
great  State  of  Illinois. 

The  three  most  popular  candidates  had  splendid  records 
in  the  Civil  War.  Two  had  occupied,  with  great  credit  to 
themselves  and  the  State,  the  highest  position  within  the 
gift  of  the  people  of  Illinois.  General  Logan  was  then  in 
Congress  from  the  State  at  large,  and  therefore  could  be  said 
to  be  enjoying  honorable  reward  for  his  services.  He  was 
disinclined  to  accept  the  nomination  of  Congressman-at-large, 
preferring  the  position  of  United  States  senator.  He  had 
resigned  his  seat  in  Congress  to  go  into  the  army,  and  felt 
that  after  five  years  of  hazardous  service  in  the  army  he  had 
earned  the  position  he  desired.  Therefore  he  finally  agreed 
to  take  his  chances  in  the  senatorial  contest.  He  went  to 


284  REMINISCENCES  OF 

Washington  December  i  for  the  beginning  of  the  session. 
Returning  to  Illinois  for  the  Christmas  holidays,  he  decided 
to  go  at  once  to  Springfield,  the  capital,  to  be  present  when 
the  legislature  met,  and  to  enter  the  contest.  We  had 
adopted  Miss  Kate  Logan,  a  distant  relative,  one  of  the  tal 
ented  and  beautiful  Logan  sisters,  aunt  of  Commander  George 
Logan  of  the  United  States  Navy.  She  was  a  fascinating  girl 
with  a  charming  manner  and  a  fine,  highly  cultivated  voice. 
We  begged  General  Logan  to  let  us  go  with  him  to  Springfield, 
and,  as  it  was  hard  for  him  to  refuse  any  request  from  me, 
he  consented.  He  secured  a  suite  of  rooms  for  us  on  the 
second  floor  of  the  Leland  Hotel,  kept  by  that  prince  of  land 
lords,  Mr.  Horace  Wiggins,  who  was  untiring  in  his  efforts 
to  make  us  comfortable.  The  general  had  a  suite  of  rooms 
on  the  first  floor  as  headquarters,  where  men  congregated  to 
talk  politics  and  discuss  their  plans. 

I  consulted  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wiggins  and  told  them  I  wanted 
to  change  the  aspect  of  our  rooms  to  make  them  as  nearly 
homelike  as  possible.  Our  daughter,  Dollie,  was  in  school 
in  Cincinnati;  Baby  John  A.  Logan,  Jr.,  was  with  us  in  the 
hands  of  a  good  nurse,  but  I  wanted  him  to  be  in  our  rooms 
much  of  the  time.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wiggins  obligingly  took  a 
personal  interest  in  everything  and  very  soon  we  had  a  large 
drawing-room  with  plenty  of  easy  chairs,  sofas,  a  piano,  and 
other  appointments  found  in  a  home.  The  citizens  of  Spring 
field  gave  us  a  warm  welcome.  Many  ladies  called  and  ex 
tended  invitations  for  luncheons,  dinners,  teas,  and  receptions. 
We  reciprocated  by  inviting  them  to  spend  much  time  with  us 
in  our  rooms  at  the  hotel.  Kate  sang  and  played  by  the  hour, 
and  our  drawing-rooms  soon  became  the  rendezvous  for  a 
majority  of  the  members  and  senators  and  young  people  of 
Springfield,  who  entered  with  enthusiasm  into  the  spirit  of 
the  good  time.  I  wish  I  could  recall  some  of  the  good  stories 
that  were  told  or  hear  again  the  peals  of  laughter  they  pro 
voked.  They  all  enjoyed  themselves.  Every  night  it  was 


A   SOLDIER'S   WIFE  285 

long  past  the  midnight  hour  before  the  happy  parties  broke  up 
and  our  guests  sought  their  rooms  or  homes  in  the  city. 

Among  the  members  and  senators  were  some  of  the  ablest 
men  in  the  State.  In  those  days  men  who  were  incorruptible 
and  independent  in  every  sense  of  the  word  accepted  nomi 
nations  for  the  legislature.  They  had  the  courage  of  their 
convictions  and  were  not  subservient  to  the  influences  of  cor 
porations,  trusts,  or  combinations.  The  majority  were  not 
self-serving,  but  patriotic,  far-seeing  men,  loyal  to  their  trusts 
and  faithful  in  the  discharge  of  their  public  duties.  The  most 
solemn  among  them  enjoyed  coming  to  our  rooms,  sitting  in 
an  easy  chair  listening  to  good  music,  stories,  and  anecdotes, 
or  telling  stories  themselves.  General  Logan  led  them  on  by 
his  own  jocular  disposition  into  forge tfulness  of  the  passing 
of  time.  The  newspaper  correspondents — friends  and  foes — 
came  and  went  at  their  pleasure.  There  was  nothing  going 
on  that  they  were  not  permitted  to  know  all  about;  hence 
they  could  not  in  conscience  write  anything  disagreeable  or 
indulge  in  criticism. 

Colonel  Clark  E.  Carr,  of  Galesburg,  Illinois;  General  T. 
O.  Osborne,  of  Chicago;  General  Thomas  Scott;  General 
Berry;  Colonel  William  L.  Distin;  Colonel  Beardsley,  of  Rock 
Island;  Judge  R.  S.  Tuthill;  Colonel  E.  S.  McCook;  Colonel 
R.  N.  Pearson;  Colonel  Rowett  S.  D.  Phelps;  Cadet  Taylor; 
General  Shaffer;  Captain  Isaac  Clements;  and  a  host  of  others 
were  in  and  out  continually,  doing  far  more  effective  work  in 
influencing  voters  than  if  they  had  adopted  the  methods  that 
are  said  to  have  been  in  vogue  in  later  years.  It  was  a  new 
feature  in  politics,  and  I  can  not  refrain,  egotistical  as  it  may 
seem,  from  incorporating  the  report  of  one  of  the  correspond 
ents  in  the  Evening  Post  of  January  6,  1871: 

The  levees  which  Mrs.  Logan  is  constantly  holding  in  her  parlors 
in  the  Leland  have  not  been  properly  "  written  up,"  but  their  in 
terest  is  certainly  sufficient  to  justify  mention.  The  Tribune  has 
gazed  into  Parlor  No.  26  from  the  standpoint  of  a  humorist,  and 


286  REMINISCENCES  OF 

the  Times  from  the  standpoint  of  a  clown;  and  it  is  high  time 
that  the  public  is  permitted  to  see  it  as  it  is.  It  may  readily  be 
admitted,  to  begin  with,  that  it  is  one  of  the  phenomena  of  this 
exciting  struggle — one  of  its  very  pleasantest  and  most  grateful 
features.  Here,  directly  over  the  headquarters  of  the  general 
himself,  is  a  levee  always  in  session  presided  over  by  Mrs.  Logan 
herself,  who  is  assisted  by  her  husband's  younger  brother  and  his 
handsome  cousin,  Miss  Logan.  In  this  room  all  are  welcome  and 
all  are  graciously  received,  and  to  this  room  almost  all  the  mem 
bers  of  the  first,  second,  and  third  houses  have  beat  a  retreat  at 
some  time  during  the  heat  of  the  contest.  It  is  where  they  go  to 
escape  for  a  moment  from  the  fetid  atmosphere  of  politics.  In 
Parlor  No.  26  politics  are  not  among  the  refreshments.  It  is  an 
oasis  of  peace  in  a  desert  of  wrangling.  It  is  a  retreat,  a  neutral 
ground  which  the  combatants  of  both  sides  fly  to,  to  get  their 
soured  hearts  sweetened  with  music  and  their  bewildered  brains 
cooled  by  sensible  conversation. 

Mrs.  Logan  is  a  native  of  Missouri,  transplanted  to  southern 
Illinois — a  small,  fragile  lady  with  an  attractive  mobile  face,  a 
mass  of  turbulent  black  hair  and  sharp  eyes  selected  to  match 
it,  a  wide  experience  of  the  social  world,  a  good  fund  of  informa 
tion,  abundant  wit,  and  a  ready  tongue  freighted  with  complai 
sance  and  suavity.  She  certainly  impresses  very  favorably  all 
who  come  within  her  influence.  Having  accompanied  her  hus 
band  in  the  field,  she  is  acquainted  with  camp  life  in  its  varied 
phases.  At  Belmont  and  Fort  Henry,  at  Donelson  and  Vicksburg, 
she  hovered  on  the  edge  of  battle,  and  kept  her  eye  fondly  on  one 
particular  flag.  Is  it  extraordinary  that  she  should  follow  his 
fortunes  with  equal  fidelity  now  ?  And  is  it  anything  less  than 
infamous  that  her  fair  name  should  now  be  made  the  subject  of  in 
sults  in  the  Chicago  Republican,  whose  editor,  when  a  correspond 
ent  in  the  field,  broke  free  bread  at  her  table  for  weeks  together 
and  rode  her  husband's  horses  and  drank  gratuitously  of  the  com 
missary  whiskey?  Strangers  and  lifelong  enemies  are  safe  from 
the  outrageous  calumnies  of  this  young  man;  it  is  only  those  whose 
guests  he  has  been  that  he  assails. 

Mrs.  Logan  dresses  neatly  and  plainly:  a  black  silk,  edged  with 
satin,  point  laces,  a  silken  knot  at  the  throat,  and  a  gold  chain. 
Her  parlor  is  an  exchange  of  suavities;  she  never  herself  intro 
duces  the  subject  of  politics,  but,  if  asked,  has  no  hesitation  in 
confessing  that  she  is  strongly  prejudiced  in  favor  of  Logan,  and 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  287 

in  stating  tersely  why  she  thinks  he  ought  to  be  sent  to  Washing 
ton.  She  is  never  aggressive  or  intrusive  on  this  point,  but  is 
fearless  and  confident  and  exercises  her  woman's  right  of  speech 
with  such  persuasive  tact  that  there  is  no  doubt  whatever  that 
she  has  made  some  votes  for  the  coming  man.  Doubtless  a  round 
dozen  of  gentlemen  from  the  unpaved  districts  have  crossed  that 
charming  threshold,  confident  that  they  were  for  Oglesby  or  "neu 
tral,"  who  have  ever  since  worked  steadily  for  the  swarthy  little 
general,  and  haven't  any  idea  what  changed  their  minds.  The 
fascinations  are  so  thoroughly  disguised  that  even  the  Oglesby 
man  is  disarmed  in  their  presence,  but  he  feels  their  potency. 

This  evening,  about  supper-time,  Oglesby  and  Mrs.  Logan,  old 
acquaintances,  met  in  the  hall  and  after  an  exchange  of  compli 
ments,  a  dialogue  ensued,  somewhat  like  this: 

Mrs.  Logan:  "Ah,  general,  I  fear  you  are  forgetting  the  old- 
school  politeness  that  used  to  become  you  so  well;  you  have  not 
called  on  me." 

Oglesby:  "Well,  madam,  the  fact  is  that  I  am  afraid  to  subject 
myself  to  your  blandishments.  You  are  making  trouble  here;  I 
am  afraid  I  might  leave  your  presence  a  Logan  man." 

Mrs.  Logan:  "Now,  general,  don't  joke;  I  would  like  to  see 
you  sociably;  you  would  meet  a  good  many  pleasant  people  at 
my  rooms;  it  would  do  you  good." 

Oglesby:  "I  am  not  sure  about  that.  I  wish  you  would  leave 
town,  Mrs.  Logan.  You  see  I  am  forgetting  my  politeness.  But 
I  really  think  it  is  an  unfair  advantage." 

Mrs.  Logan :  "Not  at  all.  You  are  suffering  one  of  the  disabili 
ties  of  bachelorhood,  as  you  ought.  It  seems  to  me  obvious  that 
General  Logan  should  have  the  senatorship.  He  has  not  received 
any  promotion  since  the  year  he  volunteered  for  the  army,  and 
you  have  been  governor  ever  so  long.  Now,  general,  you  see  you 
can  be  senator  next  time — or  what  do  you  say  to  Congressman- 
at-large?  " 

Mrs.  Logan  was  as  gracious  as  could  be,  and  the  fact  that  she 
did  not  mean  to  be  impertinent  rendered  the  last  proposal  exceed 
ingly  cunning,  and  the  old  soldier  smiled  a  broad,  deep,  long, 
thoughtful,  profound,  and  penetrating  smile  and  withdrew,  prom 
ising  to  think  about  it. 

On  January  17,  1871,  at  twelve  o'clock,  the  two  houses 
met  in  joint  session.  The  vote  was  as  follows:  Senate — 


288  REMINISCENCES  OF 

Logan,  32;  T.  J.  Turner  (Democratic  candidate),  18.  House- 
Logan,  101;  Turner,  70;  William  H.  Snyder,  2.  Logan  was 
then  declared  duly  elected  United  States  senator,  vice  Richard 
Yates,  for  six  years  from  the  fourth  day  of  March,  1871. 

A  committee  visited  General  Logan  and  announced  the 
good  news  to  him,  when  he  appeared  before  the  assembly  and 
addressed  them  as  follows: 

Mr.  President,  and  gentlemen  of  the  Senate  and  House  of  Represent 
atives: 

I  find  myself  at  a  loss  for  appropriate  language  to  express  my 
high  appreciation  of  the  distinguished  honor  you  do  me  in  con 
ferring  upon  me  the  position  of  United  States  Senator,  and  I  can 
only  assure  you  that  my  heart  wells  up  with  gratitude  to  you; 
and,  through  you,  as  their  representatives,  I  desire  to  convey  my 
grateful  acknowledgments  to  the  people  of  Illinois.  It  is  very 
gratifying  to  me  that  I  have  been  chosen  with  such  unanimity  by 
political  friends  as  to  leave  no  serious  wounds  to  be  healed.  The 
contest  has  been  one  marked  with  a  degree  of  kindness  of  feeling 
among  political  friends  that  is  very  unusual,  but  highly  commend 
able.  The  greatest  respect  has  been  and  is  entertained  for  the 
ability,  integrity,  and  generosity  of  those  who  sought  the  same 
position  at  your  hands. 

To  the  interests,  prosperity,  and  happiness  of  the  people  of 
this  State  I  am  allied  by  the  closest  ties.  Born  in  the  midst  of 
this  people,  I  have  passed  with  them  through  the  storms  of  ad 
versity  and  the  sunshine  of  prosperity.  Their  interest  is  my  inter 
est;  their  prosperity  is  my  prosperity;  their  hopes  and  aspirations 
are  mine.  All  I  have  ever  been  or  will  be,  I  owe  to  the  people  of 
this  State.  They  have  sustained  me  beyond  that  which  I  had  a 
right  to  expect.  For  that  I  owe  to  them  a  debt  of  gratitude  that 
I  fear  I  shall  never  be  able  to  pay.  Whether  I  shall  come  up  to 
the  standard  fixed  for  me  by  my  friends,  or  their  hopes  and  antic 
ipations  be  dashed  to  the  earth,  must  be  left  to  the  future  to  dis 
close.  I  shall,  however,  enter  upon  my  duties,  giving  whatever 
of  abilities  and  energy  I  may  possess  to  the  promotion  of  the  in 
terests  of  our  whole  country,  but  especially  shall  I  devote  myself 
to  the  interests  of  that  constituency  which  I  shall  immediately 
represent;  and  trusting  implicitly  in  Divine  Providence  to  guide  me 
in  the  right  direction,  I  hope  to  succeed  in  making  you  a  faithful 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  289 

senator.  Again  thanking  you,  with  all  the  warmth  of  my  heart, 
for  your  partiality  in  conferring  upon  me  this  great  honor,  I,  for 
the  present,  bid  you  farewell. 

It  is  a  melancholy  fact  that  with  all  our  boasted  progress 
along  all  lines  of  civilization  the  question  of  the  election  of  a 
United  States  senator  should  have  degenerated  to  its  present 
level,  and  it  is  one  of  the  incomprehensible  questions  why 
this  should  be.  It  would  be  considered  disloyal  to  suggest 
that  there  has  been  a  decadence  of  patriotism  and  that  men  of 
meaner  minds  have  been  destined  to  represent  the  people  in 
the  legislatures  of  the  various  States,  that  money  has  taken 
the  place  of  higher  motives,  and  that  a  majority  are  prompted 
to  seek  these  positions  by  a  desire  to  advance  their  pecuniary 
interest,  expecting  to  receive  a  reward  from  wealthy  and  ambi 
tious  men  for  their  support  of  these  parties  for  the  position 
of  United  States  senator.  They  ignore  altogether  the  very 
necessary  qualities  of  patriotism  and  integrity  so  essential  in 
all  members  of  the  United  States  Senate. 

General  Logan  took  his  seat  March  4,  1871.  He  soon 
found  that  election  to  the  Senate  multiplied  instead  of  de 
creased  his  work.  He  was  ambitious  to  comply  with  every 
legitimate  request  of  the  people  of  the  State,  and  to  co-oper 
ate  with  senators  in  their  advocacy  of  measures  for  the  gen 
eral  welfare  of  the  country  and  nation.  His  comprehension 
of  all  subjects,  and  his — up  to  that  time — tireless  energies 
enabled  him  to  perform  stupendous  labors.  His  personal  re 
lations  with  every  member  of  the  Illinois  delegation  were  most 
cordial,  notwithstanding  his  intense  loyalty  to  his  party. 

In  May,  1871,  in  connection  with  the  delegation,  he  secured 
an  appropriation  of  eighty-five  thousand  dollars  for  the  im 
provement  of  the  Illinois  River  and  Hennepin  Canal.  Every 
movement  for  the  development  of  the  resources  of  his  State 
claimed  his  faithful  vigilance  and  earnest  labors. 

My  own  social  duties  were  quadrupled,  and  I  was  deter- 


29o  REMINISCENCES   OF 

mined  that  I  should  not  be  found  ignorant  of,  or  remiss  in, 
the  discharge  of  them.  In  addition,  hordes  of  the  people  from 
the  great  State  of  Illinois,  and  especially  from  Chicago,  were 
continually  arriving  in  Washington.  A  majority  of  them 
hastened  to  find  us  and  to  claim  our  time  to  assist  them  in 
accomplishing  the  object  of  their  visit,  whether  it  was  sight 
seeing,  seeking  appointments,  or  a  glimpse  of  society.  General 
Logan  knew  that  he  could  rely  on  me  to  assume  the  role  of 
guide  and  chaperon  and  to  secure  the  introduction  to  every 
sanctum  of  the  capital  which  they  wished  to  enter.  He  usually 
brought  me  a  long  list  of  engagements  he  had  made  for  me 
to  contribute  to  the  pleasure  of  his  visiting  constituents. 

Early  in  May  I  returned  to  Carbondale,  as  the  general 
had  concluded,  after  conferring  with  many  of  our  friends, 
that  it  would  be  a  wise  thing  for  him  to  remove  to  Chicago. 
There  existed  at  that  time  a  sentiment  in  regard  to  the 
geographical  location  of  the  homes  of  senators,  and  Chicago 
claimed  that  it  should  be  the  residence  of  one  of  the 
senators  from  Illinois.  General  Logan  had  bought  a  house 
in  Chicago  sometime  before,  which  a  friend  had  been  occupy 
ing,  intending  to  go  to  Chicago  to  practise  law,  if  he  had  not 
gone  into  politics  in  1866.  We  had  always  lived  in  southern 
Illinois,  and  it  was  a  tremendous  wrench  to  take  our  goods 
and  gods  away  from  Egypt,  and  to  take  up  our  abode  in  a  great 
city.  After  Congress  adjourned  the  general  went  to  Chicago 
to  have  our  house  put  in  order  for  us,  and  I  took  charge  of 
the  packing,  making  good-by  visits,  and  trying  to  reconcile 
these  old  friends  to  the  change  we  were  about  to  make.  My 
part  of  it  was  no  small  task,  and  I  had  to  explain  over  and 
over  again  "  the  reasons  why."  Finally,  in  August,  we  shipped 
our  goods  and  bade  good-by  to  friends  who  were  very  dear 
to  us. 

Our  house  in  Chicago  was  located  on  Calumet  Avenue,  just 
north  of  the  Twenty-second  Street  depot  of  the  Lake  Shore, 
about  the  middle  of  the  block,  with  detached  houses  on  the 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  291 

north  and  south  sides  of  us.  The  houses  fronted  west,  the 
rear  facing  the  lake.  We  had  broad  lawns  that  extended 
down  to  the  track  of  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad,  with  no 
division  fences,  and  it  was  a  most  beautiful  location.  Here 
we  spent  many  happy  years  during  the  interim  between  the 
sessions  of  Congress.  I  was  obliged  to  dispose  of  this  home 
after  General  Logan's  death,  and  have  since  had  the  painful 
experience  of  seeing  it  fall  before  the  march  of  the  resistless 
commercialism  of  Chicago. 

We  had  not  gotten  our  home  settled  when  that  fearful 
holocaust  of  October  9,  1871,  swallowed  all  of  Chicago  north 
of  Twelfth  Street  to  Lincoln  Park.  We  had  friends  calling 
on  Sunday  evening,  when  we  heard  the  continuous  ringing  of 
the  fire-bell  and  went  out  on  top  of  the  house,  where  there 
was  an  observatory,  to  try  to  locate  the  fire.  In  the  north 
west  we  saw  the  heavens  lighted  up  by  the  flames,  which  were 
consuming  the  wooden  houses  and  lumber  in  the  lumber  dis 
tricts  of  northwest  Chicago.  It  seemed  many  miles  away; 
so,  after  watching  it  for  hours,  we  descended  to  our  rooms, 
our  friends  departed,  and  we  retired.  In  the  early  morning 
we  were  awakened  by  a  great  confusion  in  the  street  and 
looked  out  upon  our  front  lawn  to  find  the  whole  of  the  block 
from  Twenty-first  to  Twenty-second  Streets  occupied  by  every 
conceivable  article  of  merchandise.  Men,  women,  and  chil 
dren  were  crying  and  wringing  their  hands,  having  come  from 
the  fire  district  to  our  locality  as  a  place  of  safety.  The  alleys 
in  the  rear  of  our  barn  were  full  of  tremendous  trucks  loaded 
with  goods.  We  hastily  dressed  and  came  out  to  open  our 
doors  to  welcome  these  frightened  and  stricken  people.  On 
General  Logan's  going  to  the  alley  to  see  what  he  could  do 
there,  he  found  that  the  goods  which  J.  V.  Farwell  &  Com 
pany  had  rescued  from  the  fire  were  being  piled  high  in  the 
rear  of  our  barns.  He  quickly  had  the  coachman  open  the 
doors  and,  in  a  twinkling,  almost  every  inch  of  space  in  the 
barn  and  its  loft  was  occupied  by  cases  of  priceless  laces  and 


292  REMINISCENCES  OF 

rare  imported  goods.  Our  first  thought  was  that  all  the  sup 
plies  would  be  cut  off,  as  the  gas-house  on  the  north  side  had 
been  exploded,  and  the  gas  was  escaping  from  every  main  all 
over  the  city.  We  realized  that  we  should  be  in  total  dark 
ness  when  the  sun  went  down.  I  hurried  over  to  Twenty- 
second  Street  and  bought  from  our  grocer  and  butcher  large 
quantities  of  supplies,  including  boxes  of  candles  which  we 
had  to  use  for  many  days.  We  had  no  candlesticks,  but  in 
their  place  found  that  empty  bottles  served  every  purpose. 

I  shall  not  attempt  to  describe  the  horrors  of  many  days 
and  nights.  I  joined  the  army  of  people  residing  south  of 
Twelfth  Street  who  were,  without  exception,  gathering  to 
gether  all  they  could  get  to  take  to  the  churches  that  were 
being  used  for  hospitals  and  for  sheltering  homeless  people. 
They  had  gone  into  old  barns,  residences,  churches,  and  houses, 
and  every  place  that  furnished  a  roof  for  the  people  that  had 
fled  from  their  homes.  General  Logan  and  General  Sheridan 
had  had  much  experience  in  such  catastrophes  during  the 
Civil  War,  and  they  rendered  valuable  service  by  assuming 
direction  of  the  armies  of  men  who  were  tearing  down  houses, 
and  using  the  fire  department  as  much  as  they  could  in  break 
ing  the  fire  line.  Almost  every  one  was  worn  out,  and  some 
were  so  exhausted  that  there  was  nothing  to  do  but  to  lie 
down  wherever  they  could  get  shelter.  The  patriotic  and 
noble  State  of  Illinois  responded  within  a  few  hours  with 
train-loads  of  provisions  and  supplies  of  all  kinds  for  the  im 
mediate  relief  of  the  victims  of  the  fire  district.  The  world 
knows  the  generous  response  that  came  from  all  over  the 
globe  and  of  the  long  and  tedious  months  when  armies  of 
men,  women,  and  children  had  no  resource  but  to  visit  the 
relief  depots  and  have  issued  to  them  their  daily  supplies. 
When  we  look  at  Chicago  to-day,  we  realize  the  situation 
during  those  unhappy  early  days  of  October,  1871.  About 
one  hundred  persons,  and  tons  of  goods  of  delicate  and  valu 
able  character  were  in  our  house  for  more  than  two  weeks. 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  293 

We  had  to  have  as  many  cooks  as  could  be  utilized  in  a  pri 
vate  kitchen,  and  the  range  was  going  from  early  morning 
until  late  at  night  to  furnish  meals  for  these  friends  who  had 
been  deprived  of  their  homes  and  abiding-places.  The  mem 
ory  of  meeting  the  survivors  of  families  that  had  been  swept 
by  the  flames  from  their  homes  through  the  darkness  of  that 
Sunday  night  will  abide  with  me  forevermore.  We  found 
men  broken  and  weary,  weeping  like  children  because  they 
knew  not  where  their  families  were.  We  found  women  cry 
ing  for  their  babes;  babes  crying  for  their  mothers;  wives  in 
tears  over  the  loss  of  their  husbands  and  their  homes.  Hand- 
presses  of  Chicago  and  the  newspaper  presses  of  the  neigh 
boring  towns  and  cities  were  busy  publishing  the  names  and 
location  of  persons,  hoping  in  this  way  that  their  friends  and 
families  might  learn  of  the  whereabouts  of  their  loved  ones. 
Hundreds  of  families  were  reunited  in  this  way  who  had  not 
known  for  days  how  many  of  them  were  alive.  The  hospital 
ity  of  the  districts  not  included  in  the  fire,  and  that  of  the 
towns  and  homes  within  miles  of  Chicago  was  taxed  to  its 
utmost.  Many  died  and  were  borne  to  their  last  resting- 
places  unattended  by  any  member  of  their  family,  and  but  for 
the  records  that  were  kept,  and  the  stories  that  were  told 
before  these  poor  creatures  died,  their  fate  would  never  have 
been  known.  Bodies  were  recovered  from  the  tunnels  and 
in  out-of-the-way  places  where  the  victims  had  succumbed 
in  their  attempt  to  escape  from  the  smoke,  darkness,  and  con 
fusion  that  reigned  supreme  for  the  hours  between  sundown 
Sunday  night  and  Monday  morning. 

General  Logan  was  more  deeply  impressed  with  the  horrors 
of  the  Chicago  fire  than  with  anything  he  had  ever  experi 
enced.  His  prodigious  efforts  in  Congress  as  soon  as  it  as 
sembled  in  December,  1871,  told  the  story  of  how  deeply  his 
great  heart  was  stirred  by  the  misfortune  of  his  beloved* city  of 
Chicago.  Through  his  efforts  the  Government  did  very  much 
to  enable  the  city  to  rise  from  its  ashes.  Probably  Chicago 


294  REMINISCENCES   OF 

would  not  be  the  city  it  is  to-day  but  for  this  unutterable 
calamity  which  may  have  been  a  blessing  in  disguise.  It 
roused  an  indomitable  spirit  in  the  men  of  that  generation 
and  those  that  have  followed  them  which  has  never  been 
exceeded  by  mankind. 

In  November,  1871,  we  returned  to  Washington  and  re 
moved  to  No.  8  Grant  Place,  to  a  house  occupied  by  Major 
and  Mrs.  Hayden,  brother  of  Professor  Hayden  of  the  geo 
logical  survey.  The  members  of  the  Hayden  family  and  our 
selves  being  the  only  occupants  of  the  house,  it  was  more 
like  our  own  home  would  have  been  than  anything  we  had 
previously  had  in  Washington.  The  house  was  new  and  well 
appointed,  and  Mrs.  Hayden  was  a  delightful  housekeeper; 
hence  we  had  all  the  comforts  of  a  home  without  any  of  the 
cares  and  the  indispensable  vexations  attending  housekeeping. 
Katie  Logan  was  with  us,  and  we  had  a  very  delightful  time 
on  account  of  her  wonderful  musical  genius.  Every  evening 
our  parlors  were  crowded  with  friends  who  came  to  enjoy 
her  music. 

General  Logan  on  his  entrance  into  the  Senate  was  made 
chairman  of  the  military  committee,  greatly  to  the  disgust 
of  General  Ames,  who  had  been  chairman  of  that  committee 
prior  to  General  Logan.  General  Logan  was  also  second  on 
the  committee  on  judiciary,  second  on  the  committee  on  ap 
propriations,  and  second  on  the  committee  on  privileges  and 
elections.  The  amount  of  work  which  devolved  upon  him  as 
a  member  of  these  important  committees  was  something  pro 
digious.  He  had  very  little  time  for  recreation,  and  constantly 
devoted  himself  to  his  duties.  To  the  labors  of  the  committees 
was  added  a  voluminous  correspondence,  as  he  was  com- 
mander-in-chief  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  and  had 
so  lately  occupied  the  position  of  Congressman-at-large  from 
the  State  of  Illinois  that  his  constituents  did  not  relinquish 
their  claim  upon  him,  but  desired  him  to  attend  to  everything 
in  which  they  were  interested.  The  collection  of  pensions, 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  295 

back  pay,  and  bounty,  and  the  inquiries  which  followed  the 
passage  of  his  bill  for  the  establishment  of  the  geological  sur 
vey  also  augmented  the  work  of  the  daily  grind  very  much. 
Naturally,  I  could  not  see  my  husband  working  day  and  night 
without  also  doing  what  I  could  to  share  in  the  burdens  of 
the  drudgery  attending  the  detail  of  proper  attention  to  these 
various  interests. 

Among  the  first  things  that  confronted  him  was  the  con 
tested  election  case  of  Ransom  and  Abbott  of  North  Carolina. 
Abbott  was  a  Republican  and  had  demanded  the  throwing  out 
of  the  votes  cast  for  Ransom,  which  would  have  given  him 
(Abbott)  the  majority  of  the  North  Carolina  legislature,  and 
secured  for  him  a  seat  in  the  United  States  Senate.  General 
Logan,  though  a  steadfast  Republican  partisan,  differed  with 
the  committee  in  his  opinion  of  the  case.  Upon  its  submis 
sion  to  him,  he  asked  for  a  delay  of  one  week  before  making 
the  report  of  the  committee.  He  had,  in  a  way,  scanned  the 
evidence  and  thought  that  to  throw  out  Ransom's  votes  would 
be  an  outrage  in  view  of  the  facts  then  existing.  There  seemed 
to  be  no  evidence  that  any  fraud  had  been  perpetrated  in  the 
election  of  those  members  of  the  North  Carolina  legislature 
whose  votes  Abbott  demanded  should  be  thrown  out.  It 
further  seemed  from  the  evidence  that  was  before  the  com 
mittee  that,  even  if  Abbott's  demands  were  acceded  to,  he  was 
not  the  choice  of  a  majority  of  the  legislature. 

The  amount  of  work  that  General  Logan  put  on  this  case 
was  beyond  description.  He  came  home  one  evening  telling 
me  that  he  had  asked  for  the  delay  in  submitting  the  report, 
but  had  previously  sent  his  clerk  to  the  Library  of  Congress 
to  get  such  authority  as  parallel  cases  afforded,  or  cases  bear 
ing  on  these  contested  elections.  The  mail-wagon  brought 
to  our  house  that  evening  five  bags  of  books  from  the 
Library  of  the  Senate  and  the  Congressional  Library.  These 
books  were  journals  and  reports  of  law  cases.  To  read  each 
of  the  cases  and  at  the  same  time  attend  to  the  duties  of 


296  REMINISCENCES  OF 

each  day  would  have  been  impossible.  When  General  Logan 
had  anything  very  important  that  he  desired  to  do  and  wanted 
to  be  sure  he  made  no  mistake  about  it,  he  always  asked  me 
to  hunt  up  the  information  for  him,  for  he  insisted  that  he 
could  trust  me  implicitly  to  give  him  the  facts  of  a  case 
without  perverting  them,  as  is  often  done  by  secretaries  who 
are  more  anxious  to  please  their  chief  than  to  disappoint  him 
in  not  finding  material  he  desires. 

Three  days  and  three  nights  we  stayed  in  the  back  parlor, 
which  was  the  general's  office,  working  on  this  case,  with  the 
exception  of  the  few  hours  that  General  Logan  had  to  go  to 
the  Senate  to  be  present  during  the  session.  We  had  our 
meals  served  in  our  rooms,  and  never  went  to  bed  during  the 
three  days  and  nights  except  for  an  hour  or  so  in  the  early 
morning.  While  he  was  at  the  Capitol  I  ran  over  these  vari 
ous  cases,  wrote  on  slips  of  paper  what  they  were  and  the 
points  upon  which  they  bore,  and  marked  for  him  the  para 
graphs  that  were  most  important.  When  he  came  in,  as  soon 
as  we  had  our  dinner  he  would  take  these  volumes  and  read 
only  the  paragraphs  which  I  had  marked  for  him.  Notwith 
standing  the  digest  which  I  had  prepared,  it  was  almost  im 
possible  to  have  his  report  ready  for  the  meeting  of  the  com 
mittee  at  the  end  of  the  week.  We  had  no  such  helps  in  those 
days  as  stenography  and  typewriting;  all  this  work  had  to 
be  done  by  writing  it  out  in  longhand,  and  after  deciding  which 
cases  had  the  strongest  bearing  upon  the  position  he  had 
taken  he  wrote  out  his  report,  giving  the  authority,  the  case, 
the  page,  and  the  paragraph  in  support  of  his  decision.  When 
he  asked  for  the  delay  in  the  submitting  of  the  report,  it  was 
to  prevent  the  committee  from  making  a  favorable  report  on 
the  case  and  casting  out  Ransom's  votes.  When  he  had 
made  his  argument  before  the  committee  he  changed  the 
whole  feature  of  the  case,  and  an  adverse  report  was  made 
upon  the  side  of  Abbott  and  in  favor  of  Ransom.  Naturally 
we  were  pretty  well  worn  out  for  a  week  afterward,  but  we 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  297 

were  young  in  those  days  and  soon  recovered  from  the  over 
taxing  of  our  mental  and  physical  strength. 

January  i,  1872,  President  and  Mrs.  Grant  gave  the  usual 
New  Year's  reception.  There  were  most  elaborate  prepara 
tions  made  for  the  reception,  as  there  was  at  that  time  a 
greater  number  of  officers  of  high  rank  of  the  army,  navy,  and 
marine  corps  in  Washington  than  have  ever  been  there  at  one 
time  before  or  since.  The  Diplomatic  Corps  was  represented 
by  distinguished  men,  as  Washington  had  been  considered  an 
important  post  during  the  long  years  of  the  Civil  War. 

New  Year's  Day  was  bright  and  clear,  and  at  an  early 
hour — as  the  reception  was  to  begin  at  ten  o'clock  in  the 
morning — the  streets  were  full  of  carriages  en  route  to  the 
White  House.  Mrs.  Grant  had  invited  the  ladies  of  the  cab 
inet  and  the  Supreme  Court  and  the  wives  of  the  more 
prominent  members  and  senators.  I  was  fortunate  enough 
to  be  included  on  this  list,  and  I  shall  never  forget  the  re 
markable  splendor  of  the  occasion.  Every  member  of  the 
Diplomatic  Corps  was  in  full  court  dress,  wearing  innumerable 
decorations.  They  were  accompanied  by  ladies  who,  it  seems 
to  me  now,  were  very  superior  in  their  gracious  manners 
to  those  whom  I  have  met  in  later  years.  The  ladies'  jewels 
were  quite  as  dazzling  as  those  of  the  orders  worn  by  their 
husbands.  Sir  Edward  and  Lady  Thornton;  Baron  and  Ma 
dame  Gerolt — who  set  the  magnanimous  example  of  giving 
the  French  fair  such  articles  as  she  had  been  unable  to  use 
in  the  German  fair  for  the  relief  of  the  wounded  and  unfor 
tunate  of  the  Franco-Prussian  War — accompanied  by  her 
beautiful  daughter,  who  subsequently  took  the  veil  in  the 
Convent  of  the  Visitation  at  Washington;  the  distinguished 
Spanish  minister  and  his  brilliant  wife,  wearing  flame  color 
and  yellow,  and  resplendent  diamonds  half  veiled  by  her  rich 
Chantilly;  Count  Marquis  de  Chambrun,  many  years  an 
attache  of  the  French  legation,  with  his  charming  wife,  a 
descendant  of  Lafayette;  Madame  Catacazy,  wife  of  the 


298  REMINISCENCES  OF 

Russian  minister,  with  her  great  beauty  heightened  by  her 
wealth  of  golden  hair,  who  created  such  a  sensation  by  her 
magnificent  dress  and  diamonds,  represented  the  Diplomatic 
Corps. 

The  ladies  of  the  cabinet  who  were  not  assisting  in  the  re 
ception  accompanied  their  husbands  and  sustained  themselves 
admirably  as  representative  American  women. 

In  the  throng  there  were  such  distinguished  persons  as 
Gail  Hamilton — Mrs.  Elaine's  cousin — Sydney  Hyde,  Mary 
Clemmer  Ames,  Miss  Foote,  John  W.  Forney,  Ben  Perley 
Poore,  and  many  other  representatives  of  literary  circles, 
while  Senators  Fenton,  Conkling,  Chandler,  Bayard,  Morton, 
Ferry,  Howard,  Drake,  Carpenter,  Thurman,  Edmunds,  Fre- 
linghuysen,  Fessenden,  William  Pitt  Kellogg,  and  hosts  of 
others  represented  the  Senate.  Of  the  House,  there  was  Wil 
son,  of  Iowa;  Frye  and  Blaine,  of  Maine;  Hawley,  of  Con 
necticut;  Pomeroy,  of  Kansas;  Farnsworth  and  Burchard,  of 
Illinois,  and  many  others  whose  names  are  associated  with 
the  stirring  events  of  that  era. 

To  this  brilliant  galaxy  were  added  our  army,  navy,  and 
marine  corps,  all  in  the  full-dress  uniforms  of  their  respective 
branches  of  the  service,  wearing  all  the  medals  and  gold  lace 
to  which  they  were  entitled.  Almost  all  of  them  were  ac 
companied  by  wives  or  daughters,  who,  not  wishing  to  be  out 
done  in  expressing  their  appreciation  of  the  occasion,  had  worn 
their  most  beautiful  costumes,  many  carrying  magnificent  furs. 

The  mantels  of  all  the  reception-rooms,  the  red,  blue, 
green,  and  east  rooms,  were  banked  with  most  gorgeous 
flowers,  while  palms  and  pots  of  flowering  plants  were  dis 
tributed  in  every  available  spot.  The  brilliant  lights  of  the 
crystal  chandeliers  made  it  a  veritable  fairy  scene.  The  well- 
known  Marine  Band,  led  by  Professor  Scala,  with  their  red 
coats  and  blue  trousers  heavily  trimmed  with  gold  lace,  played 
in  the  corridor  and  added  much  to  the  gayety. 

President  Grant  was  most  democratic  in  his  manner,  and  had 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  299 

given  instructions  that  none  who  came  to  pay  their  respects 
should  be  excluded  from  the  White  House.  Consequently, 
an  hour  after  the  programme  had  been  finished  a  long  line 
of  citizens  and  visitors,  two  abreast,  passed  through  the  White 
House,  halting  only  long  enough  to  speak  to  President  Grant. 
It  was  after  twelve  o'clock  when  the  last  one  had  been  grati 
fied  by  a  welcome  to  the  White  House. 

Secretary  Fish  had  the  customary  breakfast  for  the  Dip 
lomatic  Corps,  foreign  relations  committees  of  both  houses, 
and  other  distinguished  guests,  who  did  full  justice  to  the 
bounteous  buffet  feast.  It  was  then  the  custom  for  persons 
receiving  on  New  Year's  Day  to  furnish  refreshment,  and  it 
has  been  said  that  there  were  barrels  of  egg-nog  used  every 
New  Year's  Day  in  Washington.  I  regret,  sometimes,  that 
the  good  old  custom  of  New  Year's  receptions  with  their 
accompaniment  of  beautiful  ladies,  flowers,  music,  refresh 
ments,  and  cordial  greetings  has  passed  away.  It  seems  that 
one  should  be  able  to  make  this  day  a  happy  one,  to  renew 
old  acquaintances  and  make  new  friends,  to  start  the  year 
as  it  should  be  started — with  good  cheer. 

The  New  Year's  reception  was  the  beginning  of  the  social 
season,  and  was  rapidly  followed  by  state  dinners  and  recep 
tions  in  the  White  House,  in  the  homes  of  the  cabinet,  in 
the  homes  of  the  Diplomatic  Corps,  justices  of  the  Supreme 
Court,  members  of  both  houses  of  Congress,  and  prominent 
and  wealthy  people  of  Washington.  As  I  remember  it,  no  ad 
ministration  has  exceeded  that  of  President  and  Mrs.  Grant's 
in  hospitality.  President  Grant  was  very  fortunate  in  choos 
ing  members  of  his  cabinet  who  seemed  to  realize  that  they 
had  to  make  acknowledgment  of  the  honor  which  had  been 
conferred  upon  them  in  some  way  besides  the  daily  routine 
of  properly  discharging  their  official  duties.  There  were  hosts 
of  beautiful  women  in  Washington  at  that  time  who  had  been 
well-trained  for  the  positions  they  occupied.  Social  events 
seemed  less  attended  by  commercial  features  than  they  are 


300  REMINISCENCES   OF 

to-day.  Men  and  women  apparently  laid  aside  everything 
for  the  purpose  of  greeting  their  friends  and  making  them 
feel  that  they  had  time  enough  to  devote  to  their  entertain 
ment. 

As  if  to  emphasize  their  welcome  of  General  Logan  and 
myself  to  the  senatorial  circle,  we  had  many  invitations  for 
dinner,  President  and  Mrs.  Grant  inviting  us  for  the  first 
state  dinner  of  the  season,  notwithstanding  the  fact  that  the 
letter  "L"  was  low  down  on  the  alphabetical  list.  Members 
of  the  cabinet  and  senior  senators  and  their  wives  included 
us  among  their  guests  for  the  first  dinners  after  New  Year's 
Day.  Those  were  delightful  functions  and  we  enjoyed  them 
to  the  full. 

Mrs.  Kate  Chase  Sprague  presided  over  the  home  of  Chief 
Justice  Chase.  There  could  not  possibly  have  been  sisters 
more  unlike  each  other  than  were  the  Chase  sisters,  not  only 
in  personal  appearance  but  in  disposition,  talents,  and  char 
acteristics.  Nettie,  though  of  a  plainer  face,  was  one  of  the 
most  gentle,  modest,  retiring,  and  lovable  characters  that  one 
could  possibly  imagine.  Their  mother  had  died  when  they 
were  both  quite  young.  Kate  was  the  elder;  hence,  when 
she  was  in  her  teens  she  was  mistress  of  her  father's  house, 
and  presided  over  the  executive  mansion  while  he  was  governor 
of  Ohio.  Her  remarkable  beauty  attracted  much  attention. 
Her  famous  Titian  hair,  peach-blow  complexion,  graceful 
figure,  and  bewitching  manners  seemed  to  have  especially 
fitted  her  for  the  position  which  she  was  destined  to  occupy. 

Soon  after  Mr.  Lincoln's  inauguration  Mr.  Chase  was 
chosen  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  and  took  up  his  residence  in 
Washington  in  a  commodious  house  on  the  corner  of  Fifth 
and  E  Streets,  N.  W.,  which  was  then  considered  an  eligible 
part  of  the  city.  It  was  not  long  before  his  daughter  Kate 
became  the  leader  in  society.  Her  inborn  diplomacy  enabled 
her  to  harmonize  the  discordant  elements  then  existing  in 
Washington  and  to  capture  the  Diplomatic  Corps,  who  were 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  301 

extravagant  in  their  admiration  of  her  brilliant  conversational 
powers  and  incomparable  beauty.  Her  devotees  were  innu 
merable,  and  no  queen  ever  held  a  more  imperious  sway  than 
did  Kate  Chase.  Legions  of  suitors  sought  her  hand,  ap 
parently  without  touching  her  heart.  Finally  Governor 
Sprague,  the  multimillionaire  merchant  of  Rhode  Island, 
joined  the  ranks  of  suppliants  for  her  favor.  After  their 
marriage  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sprague  departed  for  Europe.  The 
newspapers  were  full  of  reports  of  the  lavish  expenditures  of 
Mrs.  Sprague.  Her  wardrobe  was  equal  to  that  possessed  by 
crowned  heads — priceless  jewels  and  laces  were  added  to  her 
collection,  and  excesses  of  all  kinds  characterized  the  honey 
moon  of  this  ill-mated  pair.  Before  their  return  home  hints 
were  given  in  the  press  that  the  old  house  of  Sprague  Brothers 
was  approaching  failure.  Governor  Sprague,  however,  was 
elected  to  the  United  States  Senate.  At  the  beginning  of  the 
session  they  took  up  their  abode  with  Chief  Justice  Chase, 
and  Mrs.  Sprague  resumed  her  accustomed  sway  as  the  wife 
of  a  senator. 

Late  in  January,  at  the  height  of  the  season,  sorrow  came 
to  us  through  the  death  of  the  illustrious  Eliza  Logan  Wood, 
elder  sister  of  our  adopted  daughter,  Kate  Logan.  She  had 
been  one  of  the  most  brilliant  actresses  of  her  day.  She  played 
all  the  many  roles  in  legitimate  drama  for  a  female  tragedian. 
She  was  the  daughter  of  Cornelius  Logan,  one  of  the  cele 
brated  actors  of  his  time.  She  was  once  a  great  favorite  in 
the  South  and  West,  and  on  her  benefit  nights  she  was  often 
the  recipient  of  rare  and  valuable  gifts.  On  one  of  these 
occasions  a  wealthy  Southern  planter,  residing  in  the  interior 
of  Georgia,  travelled  many  miles  on  horseback  to  see  Miss 
Logan  act,  accompanied  only  by  his  faithful  negro  boy  serv 
ant.  The  planter  and  his  servant  attended  the  play.  He 
was  enthusiastic  over  Miss  Logan's  acting,  and  was  most 
anxious  to  convey  to  her  some  expression  of  thanks  for  the 
pleasure  which  she  had  afforded  him.  Taking  a  card  from 


302  REMINISCENCES  OF 

his  card-case,  he  wrote  above  his  address  the  words:  "To 
Miss  Eliza  Logan,  with  the  compliments  of  -  —  "  and,  pin 
ning  it  upon  the  coat-sleeve  of  his  faithful  negro  valet  (worth  at 
the  then  market  price  two  thousand  dollars) ,  bade  him  present 
himself  to  his  new  mistress.  The  slave  presented  himself  at 
the  stage-door,  and  the  management  advised  Miss  Logan  of 
his  presence.  She  was  much  amazed,  and,  not  knowing  what 
to  do  with  him  during  her  nomadic  career,  resolved  to  return 
him.  The  following  morning  Miss  Logan  returned  the  slave 
to  his  owner,  with  an  autographic  letter  couched  in  such  terms 
that  the  planter  was  more  than  satisfied.  This  is  probably  the 
only  instance  in  this  country  when  a  human  being  was  ever 
presented  to  an  artist  as  a  token  of  esteem. 

Miss  Logan  was  so  successful  that  she  took  care  of  her 
mother  and  sisters  and  when  she  was  married  had  a  large 
fortune  in  her  own  right.  She  married  Mr.  George  Wood, 
retired  from  the  stage,  and  continued  to  reside  in  New  York 
until  her  death,  January  15,  1872. 

General  W.  W.  Belknap  had  succeeded  General  John  A. 
Rawlins  as  Secretary  of  War.  He  and  his  bride — for  he  had 
not  long  been  married  to  his  second  wife — took  up  their  resi 
dence  on  Lafayette  Square  in  a  house  that  was  long  consid 
ered  a  fatal  place  of  abode  on  account  of  the  tragic  events  that 
had  taken  place  in  and  near  the  plain  red  brick,  three-story 
building  that  was  removed  to  make  place  for  the  present 
Belasco  Theatre.  This  house  had  been  occupied  by  Secre 
tary  William  H.  Seward  at  the  time  of  the  assault  upon  him 
when  Mr.  Lincoln  was  assassinated.  Mrs.  Belknap's  death 
cast  a  shadow  over  the  gayeties  of  the  official  circles. 

In  March  a  great  sorrow  came  into  our  own  household 
through  the  death  of  our  adopted  daughter,  the  talented  and 
beautiful  Kate  Logan.  Early  in  the  month  she  expressed  a 
desire  to  make  a  visit  to  her  mother,  who  resided  in  Phila 
delphia.  She  had  been  such  an  assistance  and  had  won  so 
many  friends  that  we  were  loath  to  do  without  her,  but  we 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  303 

appreciated  her  loyalty  and  devotion  to  her  widowed  mother, 
and  therefore  consented  to  her  going.  She  had  been  in  Phila 
delphia  only  a  few  days  when  we  received  a  telegram  that 
she  was  dangerously  ill  from  peritonitis.  I  hurried  to  her 
bedside,  and  the  moment  I  saw  her  I  knew  that  death  was 
near.  I  telegraphed  to  General  Logan  and  to  Doctor  J.  M. 
Woodworth,  superintendent  of  the  Marine  Hospital  Service, 
to  whom  she  was  engaged.  They  came  at  once  and  imme 
diately  secured  the  ablest  skill  in  the  profession,  and  every 
thing  that  was  possible  was  done  to  save  her  life,  but  all  to 
no  avail.  She  died  in  my  arms,  surrounded  by  her  family, 
among  them  her  brothers,  Thomas  A.  Logan,  of  Cincinnati, 
and  C.  A.  Logan,  of  Leavenworth,  Kansas.  Her  father,  Cor 
nelius  A.  Logan,  the  distinguished  tragedian,  and  other  mem 
bers  of  her  family,  were  buried  in  Cincinnati,  at  Glenwood 
Cemetery,  and  so  it  was  decided  that  her  remains  should  be 
taken  to  that  city.  It  was  a  long,  sad  journey,  and  cast  such 
a  shadow  over  our  home,  which  she  had  made  so  bright  by 
her  gracious  manners  and  lovely  voice,  that  we  could  not 
rally  for  some  time.  I  withdrew  from  further  participation 
in  social  affairs  during  that  session  of  Congress. 


CHAPTER  XII 

PARTY  OPPOSITION  TO  THE  PRESIDENT'S  RENOMINATION  IN  1872  — 
LOGAN'S  SERVICES  TO  GRANT  IN  CONGRESS  —  HOSTILITY  OF 

SUMNER  AND  SCHURZ  —  THE  CREDIT  MOBILIER  SCANDAL  — 
ENTERTAINMENT  OF  THE  JAPANESE  EMBASSY  —  REPUBLICAN 
CONVENTION  AT  PHILADELPHIA  —  GRANT  AND  WILSON  NOM 
INATED—ILLNESS  OF  MY  FATHER  —  JOURNEY  TO  UTAH — 
BISHOP  DUSENBERRY  OF  THE  MORMON  CHURCH  —  THE  '72 
CAMPAIGN — THE  LIBERAL  REPUBLICAN  CONVENTION  —  NOMI 
NATION  OF  HORACE  GREELEY  —  MR.  GREELEY'S  BEREAVEMENT, 
DEFEAT,  ILLNESS,  AND  DEATH  —  GRANT'S  SECOND  INAUGURA 
TION—THE  NEW  CABINET  —  DEATH  OF  MY  FATHER 

POLITICALLY  excitement  was  running  high.  Rivals  of  Presi 
dent  Grant  were  busy  in  the  manufacture  of  all  kinds  of 
charges  against  and  abuse  of  his  administration.  Unfortu 
nately,  some  of  his  appointees  had  not  conducted  themselves  as 
they  should,  and  he  was  held  responsible,  though  totally  igno 
rant  of  their  misdeeds.  James  G.  Elaine  was  ambitious  to  be 
nominated  for  the  Presidency,  and  it  was  said  that  he  had 
used  the  speakership  in  every  possible  way  to  secure  dele 
gates  to  the  national  convention  which  was  to  nominate  the 
candidates  for  President  and  Vice-President.  There  was  never 
a  more  bitter  campaign  than  that  conducted  before  the  hold 
ing  of  the  national  convention.  President  Grant's  friends — 
General  Logan  among  them — were  so  outraged  at  the  methods 
that  had  been  used  that  they  allowed  themselves  no  respite 
day  or  night  in  their  defence  of  the  administration.  It  is 
probable  that  General  Logan's  defence  of  President  Grant 
against  the  attacks  of  Senator  John  B.  Gordon,  of  Georgia, 
and  other  ex-Confederates  who  were  then  in  the  Senate, 
together  with  those  of  the  Sumner-Schurz  coterie,  has  never 

304 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  305 

been  equalled  in  fervor  and  vehemence.  To  General  Logan 
probably  belongs  greater  credit  in  rendering  service  to  Presi 
dent  Grant  in  the  halls  of  Congress  than  to  any  other  man. 

At  no  time  in  the  history  of  the  Government  has  there  been 
a  greater  number  of  able  men  in  Congress  than  there  was  in 
the  early  seventies.  Unhappily,  ambition  all  too  often  attrib 
utes  evil  to  the  motives  of  rivals.  Grant  was  naturally  the 
only  barrier  in  the  road  to  the  White  House  to  each  of  the 
men  ambitious  to  occupy  it.  He  had  reluctantly  accepted 
the  nomination  for  President  in  1868,  realizing  that  he  had 
no  training  for  an  executive  position.  The  Republican  party 
would  not  listen  to  his  objections,  knowing  that  his  name 
was  a  synonym  for  a  victory.  He  had  conscientiously  and 
wisely  administered  the  affairs  of  the  Republic,  and  had  ad 
vanced  the  United  States  to  a  high  place  on  the  roll  of  na 
tions.  Yet  he  and  his  followers  were  the  targets  against  whom 
the  shafts  of  the  designing  were  levelled.  Grant  was  held 
responsible  for  every  act  of  his  appointees — the  whiskey-ring 
scandals,  sale  of  arms  to  the  French,  and  nepotism.  It  was  said 
that  he  might  have  averted  the  grasshopper  scourge  in  Kan 
sas  had  he  been  equal  to  the  position  of  President!  Charges 
against  the  administration  by  the  coterie  determined  to  des 
troy  Grant  and  able  defence  of  him  and  his  administration 
were  heard  daily  in  Congress.  The  galleries  of  both  houses 
were  crowded  to  suffocation  with  men  and  women  eager  to 
hear  the  eloquent  men  of  both  sides  engaged  in  the  discussions. 
Meanwhile  conventions  were  being  held  in  every  district  of 
the  country  to  elect  delegates  to  the  national  convention  to 
be  held  at  Cincinnati,  in  June,  1872. 

The  imbroglio  between  Charles  Sumner  and  President 
Grant  was  especially  bitter.  Mr.  Sumner  was  one  of  the 
most  learned  men  in  the  Senate.  He  was  commanding  in 
his  personal  appearance — tall  and  straight  as  an  arrow.  His 
head  was  large  and  covered  with  heavy  hair;  his  eyes 
were  dark  and  expressive.  He  spoke  with  great  earnest- 


306  REMINISCENCES  OF 

ness.  He  had  made  a  national  and  an  international  reputa 
tion  by  his  opposition  to  slavery,  and  had  suffered  bodily 
injury  at  the  hands  of  the  slaveholding  Brooks  of  South  Caro 
lina,  which,  together  with  his  unwavering  demand  for  the 
abolition  of  slavery  made  him  the  idol  of  the  Whigs  and 
Abolitionists. 

A  person  once  told  Grant  that  Sumner  did  not  believe  in 
the  Bible.  Grant  replied:  "That  is  because  he  did  not  write 
it  himself."  Sumner  had  been  elected  to  the  Senate  four 
times,  first  succeeding  Daniel  Webster,  and  had  rendered 
splendid  service  to  his  country.  All  loyal  people  regretted 
exceedingly  that  the  controversy  between  him  and  President 
Grant  should  have  arisen.  It  was  apparent  to  observers 
that  Mr.  Sumner's  influence  and  powers  were  waning.  He 
had  brooded  over  his  unfortunate  marriage  and  separation 
from  the  widowed  daughter-in-law  of  his  old  and  cherished 
friend,  Mr.  Hooper,  of  Massachusetts,  and,  in  addition,  it 
broke  him  down  to  be  obliged  to  endure  the  daily  relentless 
excoriations  of  brother  senators  with  whom  he  had  previously 
been  on  most  intimate  terms.  He  died  March  12,  1874,  never 
having  regained  his  wonderful  mental  and  physical  vigor. 

Carl  Schurz  supported  Mr.  Sumner  in  his  attacks  upon 
President  Grant  and  the  administration.  He  was  a  German 
revolutionist  of  1848  and  had  had  a  most  remarkable  career 
in  the  United  States.  He  had  been  teacher,  newspaper  cor 
respondent,  editor,  and,  as  a  reward  for  his  support  of  Mr. 
Lincoln  in  the  convention  of  1860,  was  made  minister  to 
Spain,  a  position  he  soon  resigned  to  enter  the  service  during 
the  Civil  War.  He  was  made  brigadier-general  of  volunteers, 
and  was  assigned  to  a  command  in  the  army.  He  was  in  the 
battles  of  Chancellorsville,  Gettysburg,  and  other  engage 
ments  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac.  He  lived  first  in  New 
York,  then  Wisconsin,  and  from  there  went  to  Missouri,  from 
which  State  he  was  elected  to  the  United  States  Senate  to 
succeed  General  John  B.  Henderson.  He  was  most  intense 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  307 

in  the  advocacy  of  any  measure  of  which  he  approved  and  in 
the  denunciation  of  anything  which  he  opposed.  He  used 
effectively  weapons  of  sarcasm  and  ridicule. 

But  he  was  no  match  for  Senator  Conkling  in  this  line  of 
debate.  Schurz  had  dubbed  Senator  Conkling  "The  Powter 
Pigeon  of  the  Senate,"  but  Conkling  was  probably  the  author 
of  the  cognomen  "  Mephistopheles  "  which  had  been  conferred 
upon  Schurz  in  virtue  of  his  peculiar  physiognomy.  It  is  need 
less  to  add  that  Carl  Schurz  was  not  re-elected  to  the  Senate 
from  Missouri,  but  he  was  subsequently  appointed  Secretary 
of  the  Interior  by  Mr.  Hayes.  He  was  a  very  remarkable 
man,  but  could  never  quite  get  over  his  revolutionary  ideas. 
He  was  wont  to  say  that  the  Roman  punch  was  the  life-sa 
ving  station  in  Mrs.  Hayes's  temperance  dinners.  Mrs.  Schurz 
and  her  daughters  were  among  the  most  charming  women 
that  have  ever  been  in  Washington.  I  was  especially  fond 
of  Mrs.  Schurz,  who  was  so  serious-minded  that  she  had 
no  appreciation  whatever  of  a  joke,  and  was  often  shocked 
by  the  easy  manner  of  the  ladies  who  received  at  the  White 
House.  Propriety  and  dignity  were  her  chief  characteristics. 
She  could  not  bear  to  see  the  line  of  ladies  assisting  at  a  re 
ception  in  the  least  irregular,  and  was  constantly  calling  them 
to  order,  greatly  to  the  annoyance  of  some  and  the  amuse 
ment  of  others.  She  was  a  stately  German  matron  whose 
kindness  knew  no  bounds,  and  who  was  so  sincere  in  her  pro 
fession  of  friendship  that  you  felt  perfectly  at  ease  in  her 
company.  The  daughters  were  charming  young  women,  but 
they  left  Washington  when  they  were  quite  young,  and  I 
trust  have  married  well,  as  I  am  quite  sure  they  were  equal 
to  any  position  they  might  undertake  to  fill.  Mr.  Schurz 
wrote  in  his  " Memoirs"  a  voluminous  history  of  his  life  and 
times,  and  died  only  a  few  years  ago  in  the  city  of  New  York. 

Days  and  weeks  were  consumed  in  the  debates  in  both 
houses  over  the  charges  of  mistakes  and  misdoings  of  the 
administration.  Among  other  things,  there  was  a  great  scan- 


3o8  REMINISCENCES  OF 

dal  created  about  the  Credit  Mobilier,  which  meant  that 
Oakes  Ames,  of  Massachusetts,  who  had  organized  a  company 
inside  of  the  company  which  built  the  Union  Pacific  Rail 
road,  had  sold  its  stock  to  members  of  Congress,  many  of 
whom  were  so  afraid  that  their  names  would  be  mentioned 
in  connection  with  it  that  they  denied  having  made  the  pur 
chase  or  knowing  anything  about  it.  Those  who  admitted 
having  bought  the  stock  as  an  honest  investment  of  their 
own  money  in  what  promised  to  be  a  legitimately  profitable 
venture  suffered  nothing  whatever.  General  Logan,  who 
had  invested  in  the  stock,  suffered  no  discredit,  because  when 
he  discovered  that  Congress  would  be  asked  to  pass  addi 
tional  legislation  in  the  interest  of  the  Union  Pacific  Railroad 
he  returned  his  stock  to  Mr.  Ames.  The  truth  is  that  Mr. 
Ames  was  a  very  much  persecuted  man.  He  had  patriotically 
put  his  fortune  into  the  Union  Pacific  Railroad  to  save  it  from 
failure,  and  received  for  this  courageous  and  noble  venture 
on  his  part  condemnation  and  almost  ostracism.  He  was 
only  vindicated  in  after  years,  when  the  whole  facts  in  con 
nection  with  the  matter  came  to  light. 

In  the  midst  of  all  this  the  Japanese  embassy  arrived. 
Congress  made  an  appropriation  for  their  entertainment,  which 
sum  was  to  be  expended  under  the  direction  of  General  Myers, 
then  quartermaster  of  the  United  States  army,  on  duty  at 
Washington.  Among  the  social  features  of  their  entertain 
ment  a  grand  reception  was  given  in  the  Masonic  Temple, 
then  the  only  hall  in  Washington  spacious  enough  for  such 
affairs.  General  Logan  was  on  the  committee  for  their  en 
tertainment,  and  was  very  much  interested  in  all  the  arrange 
ments.  A  magnificent  banquet  was  laid  in  a  room  adjoining 
the  reception-room  of  the  Masonic  Temple.  The  main  hall 
was  used  for  the  reception  and  had  been  decorated  profusely 
with  flags  of  all  nations,  palms,  flowers,  and  colored  globes 
for  the  gas-burners,  as  electricity  was  not  known  in  those 
days. 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  309 

The  President  and  Mrs.  Grant,  all  the  members  of  the  cabi 
net,  and  everybody  entitled  to  be  present  on  state  occasions 
came  to  welcome  this  interesting  Oriental  delegation.  Many 
were  disappointed  that  the  ladies  of  the  Japanese  party  were 
not  present,  but  at  that  time  they  were  not  permitted  by 
their  own  people  to  mingle  in  society  as  they  do  to-day.  A 
commodious  house  in  Georgetown  had  been  secured  for  their 
accommodation,  where  every  luxury  was  provided.  The  "lit 
tle  yellow  men  of  the  East,"  however,  were  the  keenest  ob 
servers  of  everything  and  lost  no  time  in  asking  questions 
and  gaining  such  information  as  they  had  been  authorized  to 
secure.  They  engaged  the  services  of  many  teachers,  artisans, 
agriculturalists,  financiers,  and  political  economists  and  re 
turned  to  Japan,  having  recruited  quite  an  army  of  educators 
in  Western  civilization.  This  was  the  beginning  of  the  friendly 
relations  between  the  United  States  and  Japan. 

Soon  after  the  visit  of  the  embassy,  the  first  Japanese 
minister  made  his  appearance — Mr.  Mori  and  his  interesting 
family,  who  has  been  succeeded  from  time  to  time  by  other  most 
interesting  diplomats.  Mr.  Yoshida,  one  of  the  early  minis 
ters  from  Japan,  became  so  much  interested  in  the  United 
States  and  its  progress  that  his  family  adopted  many  of 
our  customs.  When  he  came  to  Washington  he  brought  his 
bride,  who  had  the  most  gorgeous  gowns,  made  up  in  true 
Japanese  style.  Mrs.  Grant  was  very  fond  of  Madame 
Yoshida,  and  insisted  upon  her  attending  many  of  her  re 
ceptions.  Madame  Yoshida  was  a  most  agreeable,  sensitive 
lady,  and  was  naturally  much  distressed  over  the  curiosity 
manifested  by  ill-bred  people  in  her  dress,  coiffure,  and  ap 
pearance.  One  evening,  at  one  of  Mrs.  Grant's  receptions, 
Madame  Yoshida  wore  one  of  the  gorgeous  gowns  of  her 
trousseau.  Some  one  had  the  rudeness  to  take  hold  of  it  to 
feel  the  quality  of  the  rich  brocade  of  which  the  gown  was 
made.  She  was  so  much  distressed  over  it  that  she  confided 
her  feelings  to  her  husband.  He  went  to  the  French  dress- 


310  REMINISCENCES  OF 

maker,  Madame  Soule,  and  told  her  she  was  to  go  up  to  the 
legation  and  see  if  she  could  not  change  Madame  Yoshida 's 
gowns  into  regular  court-dress,  so  that  she  might  appear  in 
European  dress  at  the  next  reception.  Madame  Soule  was 
much  elated  over  the  order,  and  at  the  next  reception  Madame 
Yoshida  appeared  in  one  of  her  rich  gowns  which  had  been 
converted  into  a  regular  European  court-dress. 

The  Yoshidas  were  here  many  years,  making  visits  to  Japan 
and  returning.  General  Logan  and  I  were  dining  at  their 
home  one  night,  when  Associate  Justice  Field  sat  on  Madame 
Yoshida's  right  and  I  sat  next  to  Justice  Field.  The  Justice 
was  a  very  agreeable  conversationalist  and  Madame  Yoshida 
had  learned  to  speak  English  quite  well.  Justice  Field  said: 
" Madame  Yoshida,  how  many  children  have  you?"  She 
replied:  "I  have  two  American  and  one  Japanese  children/' 
at  which  Justice  Field  smiled.  Quickly  realizing  the  fact 
that  she  had  made  a  mistake,  she  said:  "Two  born  in  Amer 
ica,  and  one  in  Japan.  One  is  named  Ulysses  Grant,  and  one 
other  Roscoe  Conkling."  They  were  hospitable  entertainers, 
and  when  you  went  there  to  a  dinner  they  had  many  favors 
at  your  plate,  which  was  then  the  custom.  I  said  to  Madame 
Yoshida  at  one  time:  "It  will  be  necessary  to  have  an  ex 
press  to  take  the  beautiful  things  you  have  given  us  to  our 
home."  She  laughed  heartily  over  it  and  said  she  would  send 
them  to  the  house  by  her  servant  if  I  so  desired.  Fancy 
boxes,  beautiful  carved  ivories,  and  all  kinds  of  exquisite  and 
dainty  favors,  besides  the  menu-card,  were  laid  at  our  plates, 
and  you  would  have  committed  a  grave  offence  if  you  had  not 
taken  them  with  you.  One  felt  quite  ashamed  to  leave  the 
dining-room  with  hands  so  full  of  souvenirs  of  the  occasion. 

Soon  after  March  4,  1872, 1  returned  to  our  home  in  Chicago 
for  the  summer,  General  Logan  going  directly  from  Washing 
ton  to  the  convention  in  Philadelphia,  where,  after  a  stormy 
time,  Grant  and  Wilson  were  nominated  for  the  Presidency 
and  the  Vice-Presidency.  The  national  committee  met  soon 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  311 

after  the  adjournment  of  the  convention  and  made  a  pro 
gramme  for  the  conduct  of  the  campaign.  General  Logan 
was  booked  to  speak  almost  every  day  until  the  election, 
having  appointments  in  Indiana,  Ohio,  Maine,  Kansas,  Ne 
braska,  and  Iowa,  in  addition  to  the  many  made  for  him  in 
the  State  of  Illinois,  a  State  which  he  had  ever  a  pride  in  car 
rying.  Indiana  was  always  a  battleground  between  the  Re 
publican  and  the  Democratic  parties,  and  it  required  much 
labor  to  carry  it  for  the  Republican  party. 

After  my  father's  second  marriage,  he  desired  to  go  west. 
He  was  appointed  an  assessor  under  the  Internal  Revenue 
Bureau,  and  removed  to  Provo,  Utah.  Early  in  August,  when 
the  campaign  was  at  its  height,  I  received  a  telegram  from 
Doctor  Taggart,  a  friend  of  ours,  who  was  the  collector  of 
internal  revenue  at  Salt  Lake  City.  He  said  that  my  father 
was  dangerously  ill  from  meningitis  and  desired  that  I  should 
come  to  him.  Knowing  how  dependent  he  was  upon  me  after 
my  mother's  death,  and  how  unhappy  he  was  to  be  seriously 
ill  so  far  away  from  us,  I  communicated  with  General  Logan 
at  once,  to  ask  his  permission  to  join  my  father.  It  was  im 
possible  for  him  to  accompany  me  on  account  of  his  duties 
in  the  campaign,  but  I  insisted  that  I  could  go  alone,  and 
hence  it  was  arranged.  I  set  out  upon  the  journey  a  few 
hours  after  receiving  the  telegram.  At  that  time  the  arrange 
ments  were  not  as  perfect  as  they  are  now.  Persons  travel 
ling  over  the  Union  Pacific  Railroad  were  obliged  to  change 
cars  and  get  their  sleeping-berth  at  Omaha.  Following  the 
directions  of  the  agent  in  Chicago,  I  went  into  the  depot  at 
Omaha  to  find  the  Pullman  office  to  secure  the  tickets  for 
the  section  which  I  supposed  had  been  assigned  to  me.  There 
were  many  passengers  in  the  room  in  line  before  the  window 
of  the  Pullman  office.  Realizing  that  I  would  have  no  chance 
to  reach  the  window  for  some  time,  I  sought  one  of  the  offi 
cials  on  duty  in  the  depot.  He  knew  General  Logan  very 
well  and  at  once  busied  himself  to  secure  my  tickets.  He 


3i2  REMINISCENCES  OF 

stood  up  on  a  chair  and  called  to  the  Pullman  agent,  saying: 
"What  is  the  number  of  Mrs.  Logan's  section  in  the  Salt 
Lake  car?"  After  some  delay  the  agent  responded:  " Num 
ber  twelve."  The  official  then  escorted  me  to  this  car,  and 
I  was  soon  with  all  my  belongings  ensconced  in  section 
twelve.  The  official  probably  knew  more  about  the  matter 
than  I  did,  because  he  said  to  me:  "No  matter  who  claims 
this  seat,  you  sit  still.  Nobody  will  dare  to  take  hold  of 
you."  I  was  rather  uncomfortable  for  fear  there  was  some 
thing  wrong  about  the  seat,  but  made  up  my  mind  to  follow 
his  instructions.  A  little  while  afterward  two  Englishmen 
came  into  the  car  and  deposited  their  numerous  pieces  of 
"luggage"  in  number  eleven,  directly  opposite  my  section. 
They  were  muttering  to  each  other  and  manifesting  much 
displeasure  over  something  that  had  occurred,  but  fearing 
that  I  might  in  some  way  have  disconcerted  their  plans,  I 
looked  out  of  the  window  steadily  for  some  time.  It  seemed 
to  me  a  long  time  before  everybody  was  assigned  to  his 
proper  place  in  the  car. 

Finally  we  were  off,  and,  in  my  great  anxiety,  I  realized  that 
it  was  to  be  a  long  and  tedious  journey,  relieved  only  by  the 
enjoyment  of  the  magnificent  scenery  as  we  reached  and 
crossed  the  Rocky  Mountains.  In  order  to  have  a  better 
view,  I  retired  to  the  observation  car.  There  being  a  vacant 
seat  next  to  my  neighbor,  number  eleven,  I  sat  down.  The 
gentleman  said:  "I  beg  your  pardon,  are  you  Mrs.  John  A. 
Logan?"  I  replied  in  the  affirmative.  He  said:  "I  speak  to 
you,  madam,  to  apologize  for  our  seeming  discourtesy,  but 
you  will  pardon  me  if  I  tell  you  that  you  have  one  of  our 
sections.  I  am  afraid  that  we  manifested  much  displeasure 
when  we  found  that  we  both  had  to  occupy  one  section, 
whereas  we  expected  to  have  two."  I  told  him  I  was  very 
sorry,  but  that  I  was  not  aware  of  the  fact  that  I  had  dis 
placed  them.  He  replied:  "Oh!  it  is  all  right  now,  because 
we  have  learned  of  your  sad  journey,  and  we  wish  to  apolo- 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  313 

gize  for  what  may  have  seemed  rudeness."  They  proved  to 
be  English  officers  of  the  army  and  navy  making  a  journey 
around  the  world.  They  were  delightful  gentlemen,  and  we 
grew  to  be  very  good  friends  before  we  reached  Salt  Lake. 
I  noticed  that  the  naval  officer  had  a  copy  of  "  Lucille/'  which 
he  read  very  assiduously.  Upon  my  remarking  that  I  was 
very  much  attracted  by  the  literature  which  he  seemed  to 
enjoy,  he  told  me  all  about  a  very  serious  love-affair  which 
he  had  had  just  before  leaving  England,  and  that  he  was 
trying  to  pull  himself  together  a  "bit"  by  this  journey.  I 
reminded  him  that  "there  are  just  as  good  fish  in  the  sea  as 
ever  were  caught."  I  shall  never  forget  their  great  courtesy 
and  attention  during  that  long  and  weary  journey.  I  in 
vited  them  to  make  themselves  more  comfortable  by  depos 
iting  part  of  their  luggage  on  one  of  the  seats  of  my  section. 
They  were  to  stop  in  Salt  Lake  to  learn  something  of  the  won 
ders  of  that  famous  city,  and  therefore  attended  me  to  the 
hotel. 

Doctor  Taggart  met  me  soon  after  my  arrival  and  relieved 
me  by  saying  that  my  father  was  better,  but  that  he  was  still 
very  ill.  He  told  me  that  he  had  made  arrangements  for  me 
to  go  to  Provo  on  the  stage-coach.  The  stage  line  at  that 
time  was  under  the  management  of  Gilmer  and  Saulsbury, 
men  from  Illinois,  and,  of  course,  I  felt  quite  sure  that  I  would 
have  every  care  and  attention.  The  railroad  only  extended  a 
few  miles  out  of  Salt  Lake,  where  we  were  met  by  a  stage 
coach.  At  the  terminus  of  the  railroad  there  was  nothing  but 
an  empty  freight-car  for  a  depot,  and  a  few  tents  and  cloth 
houses,  where  it  seemed  to  me  there  was  nothing  but  gambling- 
places  and  whiskey  saloons.  Near  the  car  which  was  used  as 
a  depot  were  a  number  of  barrels  upon  which  were  laid  some 
boards.  Around  them  men  were  gathered  playing  cards.  Im 
agine  my  dismay  when  I  descended  from  the  car  to  go  into 
the  stage  to  see  all  these  men  pick  up  their  bottles  and  cards, 
put  them  in  their  pockets,  and  get  into  the  stage!  I  knew 


314  REMINISCENCES  OF 

no  one,  but  I  was  obliged  to  go  to  my  father.  I  shall  never 
forget  the  absolute  silence  that  prevailed  in  that  coach.  The 
men  were  as  polite  and  as  considerate  as  they  could  possibly 
be,  and  spoke  never  a  word  until  we  reached  the  first  station 
where  the  horses  had  to  be  watered.  Doctor  Taggart  had 
evidently  told  the  driver  who  I  was  and  where  I  was  going, 
for  I  shall  ever  remember  the  gallantry  with  which  he  came 
to  the  door  and  asked  me  if  I  would  have  a  drink  of  water. 
He  then  said:  "I  think  you  would  enjoy  riding  on  top  of  the 
stage  if  you  would  not  mind  sitting  by  me."  It  was  a  great 
relief,  and  I  accepted  his  invitation  with  much  gratitude.  He 
had  watered  his  horses  and  assisted  me  up  to  the  box  on  top 
of  the  stage.  He  had  the  reins  tied  to  the  brake,  the  pas 
sengers  were  all  in,  and  we  were  about  ready  to  start,  when 
he  darted  into  the  house  and  returned  with  an  umbrella  in 
his  hand.  It  was  a  very  hot  day,  and  nothing  I  could  do 
would  induce  him  to  surrender  that  umbrella  to  me,  but  he 
drove  his  horses  and  held  the  umbrella  over  me  all  the  way 
to  Provo.  We  went  to  a  dizzy  height  over  mountains,  and 
crawled  along  the  sides  of  precipices.  If  he  had  made  the 
slightest  mistake,  we  might  have  been  dashed  hundreds  of 
feet  to  our  death.  I  was  scarcely  seated  on  top  of  the  coach 
before  I  could  hear  the  men  inside  cracking  jokes,  laughing, 
and  enjoying  themselves  hugely.  It  made  a  deep  impression 
on  me,  realizing,  as  I  did,  that  their  silence  was  their  way  of 
expressing  their  profound  respect  for  a  lone  woman.  Rough 
as  they  were,  they  still  retained  the  innate  instincts  of  gal 
lantry  of  American  men  toward  women. 

It  was  nearly  five  o'clock  when  I  reached  Provo,  and  was 
again  embraced  by  my  dear  old  father.  He  improved  rap 
idly  after  my  arrival,  and,  after  spending  ten  days  with  him 
and  seeing  him  convalescent,  I  decided  to  return  home.  After 
he  had  improved  and  was  quite  on  the  road  to  recovery,  he 
wanted  me  to  meet  his  Mormon  friends  of  the  city  of  Provo. 
Among  them  were  many  of  the  highest  intelligence  and  re- 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  315 

fmement,  and  I  used  to  enjoy  hearing  them  talk.  I  remem 
ber  one  Bishop  Dusenberry,  an  Englishman,  who  was  as  fine 
a  looking  man  as  I  have  ever  seen.  Though  a  bishop  of  the 
church,  nothing  would  induce  him  to  practise  polygamy.  He 
had  one  wife  and  lived  handsomely  in  a  substantial  house 
surrounded  by  beautiful  grounds.  Though  he  was  loyal  to 
the  tenets  of  the  church,  I  discovered  in  conversation  that 
his  bank  account  was  kept  in  England,  and  I  jocularly  re 
marked  to  him  one  day:  " Bishop,  I  expect  some  day  to  hear 
that  you  have  renounced  Mormonism  and  gone  to  England." 
He  laughed  quite  heartily  and  replied:  "What  makes  you 
think  so?"  I  said:  " Because  I  understand  the  greater  part 
of  your  fortune  is  deposited  in  the  Bank  of  England,  in  Lon 
don."  He  again  laughed  and  replied,  "Don't  you  think  that 
it  is  in  a  very  safe  place?"  thus  avoiding  a  direct  reply  to 
my  remark. 

Knowing  General  Logan's  position,  the  friends  of  my  father 
lost  no  time  in  paying  me  every  respect,  bringing  me  fruits 
and  flowers,  and  in  every  way  manifesting  their  great  admira 
tion  for  my  husband.  I  could  but  admire  the  courage  that 
had  enabled  these  people  with  their  teams  and  wagons  to 
cross  the  great  American  desert  and  hew  their  way  over  the 
Rocky  Mountains  to  the  great  valley  of  Salt  Lake  in  the 
Territory  of  Utah  at  a  time  when  pioneers  had  to  brave  every 
conceivable  danger,  including  that  of  hostile  Indians.  They 
surely  could  never  have  succeeded  in  making  this  great  valley 
blossom  as  a  rose  and  in  establishing  homes  that  are  as 
comfortable  as  those  of  other  sections  if  they  had  not  been 
sustained  by  the  fanaticism  of  their  remarkable  religious  faith. 
I  felt  more  resigned  to  my  father's  living  in  this  part  of  the 
country  after  having  seen  and  known  that  these  people  were 
full  of  kindness  and  generosity. 

After  my  return  home  I  frequently  accompanied  General 
Logan  in  the  campaign,  to  look  after  his  health  and  to  enter 
tain  his  friends  so  that  he  might  be  able  to  snatch  a  little 


316  REMINISCENCES  OF 

rest  between  his  engagements.  In  this  way  I  met  the  repre 
sentative  people  from  every  part  of  the  country,  and,  being 
anxious  to  spare  General  Logan  all  that  I  could,  I  confess 
to  having  carefully  studied  the  histories  of  the  different  States 
and  as  far  as  possible  to  have  informed  myself  as  to  the  exact 
position  of  every  man  in  politics.  I  tried  to  find  out  all  I 
could  about  their  relations  with  their  own  people  so  as  to 
enable  General  Logan  to  put  a  correct  valuation  on  their 
services  to  the  party.  Naturally,  there  were  many  pleasant 
things  in  connection  with  these  visits  to  different  towns  and 
cities,  and  I  have  no  recollection  of  any  disagreeable  episode. 
I  came  to  think  in  those  days  that  a  man's  politics  were  akin 
to  his  religion,  and  that  most  men  were  moved  by  motives 
of  patriotism  and  an  honest  desire  to  serve  the  best  interest 
of  their  respective  States  and  the  nation  at  large. 

I  shall  always  feel  that  Henry  Wilson  added  little  to  the 
influence  of  the  ticket.  He  was  known  to  be  an  honest  and 
faithful  New  England  senator,  but  he  had  little  knowledge 
of  the  people  or  of  the  interests  of  the  middle-west,  north 
west,  and  western  States.  He  had  spent  his  life  in  Massa 
chusetts,  and,  while  it  was  never  necessary  to  defend  his 
reputation,  it  was  hard  to  arouse  enthusiasm  for  a  man  of 
neutral  character.  The  world  knows  the  result  of  the  cam 
paign  and  of  the  sad  death  of  Vice-President  Wilson. 

As  an  outcome  of  the  savage  attacks  of  Sumner  and  Schurz 
on  General  Grant  and  the  leaders  of  the  regular  Republican 
party,  what  they  called  the  Liberal  Republican  party  was 
organized  by  such  ambitious  newspaper  men  as  Whitelaw 
Reid  (our  late  ambassador  to  England),  Horace  White, 
Alexander  McClure,  Henry  Watterson,  Samuel  Bowles,  Murat 
Halstead,  and  a  number  of  disgruntled  Republicans,  who  held 
a  convention  in  Cincinnati,  May  i,  1872,  and  after  three  or 
four  days'  farcical  sessions  nominated  Horace  Greeley  for 
President  and  B.  Gratz  Brown,  ex-Governor  of  Missouri,  for 
Vice-President.  One  might  be  forgiven  for  saying  that  this 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  317 

was  a  cruel  attempt  on  the  part  of  ambitious  young  men 
who  had  nothing  to  lose  and  all  to  gain  if  they  could  succeed 
in  electing  " Father"  Greeley  President  of  the  United  States. 
The  whole  attempt  was  so  abortive  and  so  ludicrous  that  it 
gave  Thomas  Nast,  then  at  the  meridian  of  his  power  as  a 
cartoonist,  an  opportunity  to  inflict  the  most  cruel  blows 
upon  Mr.  Greeley.  One  caricature  which  caused  great  amuse 
ment  was  a  cartoon  of  Mr.  Greeley  as  the  candidate  for  Presi 
dent,  with  a  placard  on  the  tail  of  his  coat  marked  "B. 
Gratz  Brown,"  which  was  all  that  was  said  of  Mr.  Brown  as 
the  Vice-President.  How  Mr.  Greeley  and  Carl  Schurz  and 
men  of  their  great  ability  could  have  been  so  foolish  as  to 
express  their  willingness  to  participate  in  this  gigantic  Fal- 
staffian  effort  to  capture  the  Presidency  I  do  not  profess  to 
know.  Mr.  Greeley  canvassed  the  country  and  made  a  most 
feeling  appeal  to  the  people,  who,  he  thought,  ought  to  sup 
port  him  for  the  Presidency.  Notwithstanding  the  fact  that 
Mr.  Greeley  and  Mr.  Brown  were  indorsed  by  the  Demo 
cratic  convention  held  in  Baltimore  on  July  9,  1872,  this 
indorsement  did  not  at  all  increase  the  possibility  of  their 
election.  Even  Mr.  Greeley's  letter  of  acceptance  of  the 
Democratic  nomination  and  his  appeal  to  the  people  failed 
to  make  any  serious  impression. 

In  the  midst  of  the  campaign  Mr.  Greeley  was  summoned 
to  his  home  on  account  of  the  serious  illness  of  Mrs.  Greeley, 
which  proved  fatal.  This  sad  event  so  affected  Mr.  Greeley,  in 
addition  to  his  great  disappointment  in  not  being  made  Presi 
dent,  that  his  mind  gave  way  and  he  was  sent  to  a  sani 
tarium,  where  he  died.  The  whole  episode  was  so  pathetic 
as  to  touch  the  heart  of  the  country.  President  Grant  and 
his  entire  cabinet,  together  with  many  noted  men  of  the 
North  and  South,  attended  the  funeral.  Mr.  Greeley  had 
gone  on  the  bond  of  Jefferson  Davis,  that  Davis  might  be 
released  from  prison.  This  act,  while  it  lessened  his  influence 
in  the  North,  made  many  friends  for  him  in  the  South,  where 


3i8  REMINISCENCES  OF 

he  had  previously  been  hated  on  account  of  his  advocacy  of 
the  freedom  of  slaves.  He  was  one  of  the  most  remarkable 
men  of  his  time,  and  should  never  have  been  induced  to 
depart  from  the  position  of  a  great  editor  for  which  he  was 
so  eminently  fitted.  He  was  earnest,  tender,  and  guileless,  and 
was  in  no  sense  a  man  suited  to  the  handling  of  the  vexatious 
problems  of  politics.  As  has  often  been  said  before,  his  death 
may  have  saved  him  from  a  more  cruel  fate — that  of  ridicule. 

Notwithstanding  the  bitter  warfare  that  had  been  waged 
against  General  Grant,  he  was  elected  by  an  overwhelming 
majority,  as  were  also  a  majority  of  the  nominees  of  the 
Republican  party  for  members  of  Congress. 

We  returned  to  our  apartments  in  November,  1872,  I  to 
take  up  the  usual  routine  of  looking  after  my  children,  acting  as 
secretary  to  General  Logan,  receiving  and  entertaining  friends 
who  were  daily  growing  more  numerous,  and  discharging 
my  social  duties.  These  were  not  at  all  distasteful,  because, 
as  I  recall  now,  society  women,  or  rather  the  families  in  the 
official  homes  of  the  capital,  made  a  great  effort  to  make 
themselves  a  reputation  for  refinement,  cordiality,  and  intel 
ligent  appreciation  of  the  positions  of  their  husbands  and 
what  was  required  of  themselves  to  discharge  their  duties  as 
wives  and  daughters.  A  majority  of  the  senators  and  mem 
bers  lived  in  hotels  and  boarding-houses,  for  at  that  time 
Washington  furnished  very  meagre  accommodations  for  con 
gressional  and  other  official  families.  The  schools  were  poor, 
and  those  who  could  possibly  arrange  for  their  children  to 
attend  boarding-schools  away  from  the  city  did  so.  Almost 
without  exception  the  ladies  felt  that  they  must  welcome 
to  Washington  visitors  who  were  entitled  to  consideration. 
They  felt  that  they  must,  on  the  days  assigned  to  the 
Supreme  Court,  the  Senate,  the  House  of  Representatives,  the 
speaker,  the  army,  and  the  navy,  receive  all  who  did  them 
the  honor  to  call.  These  receptions  began  about  two  o'clock 
and  were  not  supposed  to  end  before  half-past  five.  During 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  319 

these  hours  hundreds  of  calls  were  made,  and  they  were  not, 
as  to-day,  considered  a  bore  and  a  drudgery.  Most  host 
esses  made  every  preparation  for  their  afternoons  at  home, 
wearing  beautiful  gowns,  inviting  their  friends  to  assist  them 
in  preparing  tables  where  refreshments  were  served,  and  dec 
orating  their  rooms  with  flowers.  They  extended  a  hos 
pitality  that  made  every  one  feel  that  their  call  was  appreci 
ated.  There  were  many  bright  women,  and  often  before  you 
entered  a  drawing-room  you  could  hear  the  peals  of  laughter 
and  the  bright  conversation  of  the  happy  people  within. 
The  hours  being  early,  it  was  possible  to  make  a  great 
many  calls  in  the  afternoon  and  to  reach  home  in  time 
to  welcome  my  husband  after  the  adjournment  of  Congress 
and  the  official  duties  of  the  day  were  over.  Monday  was 
the  day  for  the  Supreme  Court,  Tuesday  for  the  House  of 
Representatives,  Wednesday  for  the  cabinet  and  the  speaker, 
Thursday  for  the  Senate,  Friday  for  the  army  and  the  navy, 
and  Saturday  afternoon  for  the  White  House.  The  mistress 
of  that  mansion  always  made  extensive  preparations  for  her 
Saturday  afternoons.  The  Marine  Band  played  as  at  an 
evening  reception,  and  every  room  was  beautifully  decorated 
with  plants  and  flowers.  It  gave  an  opportunity  for  the  wife 
of  the  President  to  extend  invitations  to  some  of  the  wives 
of  members  of  the  Supreme  Court,  Senate,  House  of  Repre 
sentatives,  army  and  navy,  and  citizens  and  visitors  in  Wash 
ington  to  assist  her  at  these  receptions.  The  recipients  never 
forgot  this  compliment,  and  it  helped  to  make  fast  friends  for 
the  President  of  the  husbands  of  these  women  who  had  had 
these  little  attentions. 

Latter-day  wives  of  Presidents  seem  to  have  forgotten 
that  it  is  in  their  province  to  extend  such  courtesies,  or  do 
anything  to  acknowledge  the  honors  that  have  been  paid  their 
husbands  and  themselves  by  their  elevation  to  the  highest 
position  within  the  gift  of  the  people.  It  is  impossible  for 
any  lady  in  the  White  House  to  go  through  the  long  list  of 


320  REMINISCENCES  OF 

persons  entitled  to  consideration  if  she  confines  herself  to  the 
regulation  state  dinners,  the  four  evening  receptions,  and  the 
occasional  musicale  or  garden-party.  People  are  so  quick  to 
discover  whether  the  invitation  is  sent  through  a  desire  to 
do  one  an  honor  or  whether  it  is  a  grudging  discharge  of  a 
disagreeable  duty.  The  only  way  to  account  for  the  differ 
ence  in  treatment  accorded  guests  in  the  White  House  latterly 
and  in  the  olden  time  is  by  recognizing  the  fact  that  money 
is  now  more  highly  considered  as  a  standard.  It  has  been 
interesting  to  contrast  the  menus  served  in  the  state  dining- 
room  to  his  guests  by  President  Arthur  with  the  bowls  of 
punch  and  gingersnaps  that  have  been  served  in  the  corridor 
of  the  White  House  by  caterers  after  musicales  within  the 
past  few  years.  Not  that  one  accepts  these  invitations  ex 
pecting  a  feast,  yet  one  feels  a  pride  in  having  whatever 
is  done  in  the  White  House  either  well  done  or  altogether 
omitted. 

Allowing  for  the  Christmas  holidays,  any  session  beginning 
December  i  and  closing  on  the  4th  of  March  is  very  short, 
and  there  is  little  time  for  the  passage  of  many  bills  that 
must  fail  altogether  if  they  are  left  on  the  calendar  March  3 
of  the  last  session  of  a  Congress.  Therefore,  those  interested 
work  prodigiously  at  these  last  hours.  March  3,  1873,  was 
the  close  of  the  Forty-second  Congress,  and,  though  many  of 
the  senators  and  members  had  worked  heroically,  the  calendar 
was  far  from  being  exhausted.  Work  in  the  departments  was 
also  greatly  in  arrears,  as  possibly  a  larger  number  of  bills  had 
been  introduced  in  Congress,  and  more  important  matters  laid 
before  every  department,  than  had  ever  before  been  done  in 
the  history  of  the  Government. 

March  4,  1873,  was  probably  the  most  inclement  inaugura 
tion  day  within  the  memory  of  any  American.  The  ther 
mometer  had  fallen  below  zero,  a  thing  previously  unknown 
in  this  climate.  The  militia  from  many  States  almost  per 
ished  with  the  cold  while  they  were  en  route,  and  they  ar- 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  321 

rived  in  Washington  to  find  inhospitable  temperature  and  few 
preparations  for  their  accommodation.  The  decorations  of 
the  city  were  frozen  stiff  and  looked  dismal  with  their  coats 
of  ice  and  sleet,  which  had  fallen  the  night  before.  The  cadets 
from  West  Point  and  Annapolis  were  nearly  frozen  in  line, 
many  dropping  out  on  account  of  their  inability  to  stand  on 
their  feet,  and,  though  they  were  taken  back  to  their  acad 
emies  as  speedily  as  possible,  they  left  a  number  behind  in 
the  hospitals  of  Washington,  while  others  were  borne  to  the 
hospital  on  their  arrival  at  West  Point  and  Annapolis,  fatal 
pneumonia  claiming  several  in  each  corps. 

The  procession  was  the  poorest  display  ever  seen  on  such 
an  occasion.  Senators  Logan,  Cragin,  and  Bayard,  were  the 
committee  on  the  part  of  the  Senate,  supplemented  by  a  large 
committee  of  distinguished  men.  Governors  of  many  States 
with  their  staffs  were  present.  The  weather  spoiled  their  splen 
dor,  their  feathers  and  gold  lace  yielding  to  the  frost  in  the  air. 
Helmbold,  of  patent-medicine  fame,  was  then  in  Washington 
with  a  famous  four-in-hand  mouse-colored  team  of  horses 
which  he  drove  attached  to  a  superb  landau  with  light  lining. 
He  insisted  that  the  committee  should  allow  him  to  use  this 
turnout  to  convey  President  Grant  and  the  committee  to  the 
Capitol  for  the  inauguration,  and  back  to  the  White  House. 
The  committee  accepted  his  offer,  and  on  inauguration  day 
Grant,  together  with  the  Senate  committee — Logan,  Cragin, 
and  Bayard — drove  to  the  Capitol  and  thence  to  the  White 
House  in  this  beautiful  equipage.  Another  though  less  pre 
tentious  outfit  conveyed  Vice-President  Wilson  to  the  Capi 
tol.  A  commendable  but  futile  effort  was  made  by  the  shiv 
ering  throng  on  either  side  of  Pennsylvania  Avenue  to  cheer 
the  President,  Vice-President,  and  distinguished  men  whom 
they  recognized  in  the  procession.  The  crowd  assembled  in 
the  park  on  the  east  side  of  the  Capitol  were  packed  close 
together  in  front  of  the  rotunda  steps,  which  were  covered 
over  to  serve  as  the  platform  upon  which  the  President  takes 


322  REMINISCENCES  OF 

the  oath  of  office  and  delivers  his  inaugural  address.  These 
people  were  better  able  to  resist  the  bitter  blast  that  had 
been  wildly  blowing  for  forty-eight  hours,  beginning  the  day 
before  the  inauguration,  than  were  those  who  held  exposed 
positions  on  the  avenue.  Fortunately,  the  ceremonies  were 
brief.  The  Vice-President  proceeded  to  the  Senate  chamber 
to  adjourn  that  body  to  wait  for  the  President's  message, 
while  President  Grant  and  the  committee  resumed  their  seats 
in  the  carriage  to  return  to  the  White  House. 

We  had  in  our  employ  at  that  time  a  faithful  colored  man 
servant,  Louis  Davis,  who  has  occupied  the  position  of  trusted 
messenger  in  the  Interior  Department  almost  ever  since.  He 
insisted  upon  taking  our  little  son,  John  A.  Logan,  Jr.,  who 
was  then  eight  years  old,  to  the  inauguration,  promising  to 
be  very  careful  of  him.  He  took  the  child  up  to  the  Capitol 
and  stood  beside  the  general  who  occupied  the  place  of  com- 
mitteeman  near  Grant.  After  he  had  finished  the  inaugural 
address,  President  Grant  noticed  the  boy,  and,  Jack  being  a 
great  favorite  with  him,  he  said  to  General  Logan:  " Bring 
Jack  in  the  carriage  as  we  return."  Louis,  overhearing  Pres 
ident  Grant,  preceded  them  to  the  carriage.  Imagine  Gen 
eral  Logan's  surprise  when  he  saw  Louis  sitting  on  the  box 
beside  Helmbold  with  Jack  on  his  knee!  The  President 
laughed  heartily  and  insisted  upon  his  being  left  there.  When 
they  arrived  at  the  White  House,  President  Grant  took  Jack 
by  the  hand  and  led  him  into  the  reception-room  to  be  wel 
comed  by  Mrs.  Grant.  When  they  adjourned  to  the  state 
dining-room  for  the  luncheon  which  Mrs.  Grant  had  pro 
vided  for  the  large  party  accompanying  the  President,  he 
insisted  upon  taking  Jack  with  him. 

It  was  a  red-letter  day  in  the  dear  boy's  life,  and  he  used 
to  tell  it  to  all  of  his  school  friends  with  a  good  deal  of  satis 
faction.  It  spoke  volumes  for  the  kind  heart  of  General  Grant. 
Jack  was  always  proud  of  being  a  favorite  with  the  President 
and  Mrs.  Grant,  who  never  forgot  him  at  Christmas,  but 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  323 

always  sent  him  some  beautiful  Christmas  gift.  He  was  her 
champion  and  made  many  speeches  in  eulogy  of  Mrs.  Grant, 
which  were  reported  to  her  and  caused  her  to  be  very  strongly 
attached  to  him  as  long  as  she  lived. 

The  afternoon  was  spent  by  everybody  in  trying  to  get 
warm.  The  inaugural  committee  had  made  most  extensive 
preparations  for  the  inaugural  ball.  They  had  built  a  tem 
porary  marquee  on  Judiciary  Square.  It  was  magnificently 
decorated  and  extensive  enough  to  have  accommodated  the 
thousands  whom  the  committee  expected  would  attend  the 
ball.  A  superb  banquet  had  been  provided,  and  hundreds 
of  waiters  secured,  and  the  committee  on  music  had  provided 
many  bands.  The  weather  abated  not  a  whit  or  tittle,  and, 
as  night  came  on,  it  seemed  to  grow  colder  and  colder,  and 
yet  every  one  felt  they  must  carry  out  the  inaugural  pro 
gramme. 

We  had  as  our  guest  Miss  Nina  J.  Lunt,  of  Chicago.  Mr. 
E.  B.  Wight,  representative  of  the  Chicago  Tribune  had  in 
vited  Miss  Lunt  and  our  daughter,  then  in  her  teens,  to  go 
to  the  inaugural  ball,  and,  while  Dollie  was  not  in  society,  we 
thought  it  might  be  an  event  she  would  like  to  remember  as 
long  as  she  lived.  Therefore  we  gave  our  consent  to  have 
her  go  with  Mr.  Wight.  After  they  had  gone,  and  before 
we  could  reach  them,  we  became  very  anxious  indeed,  be 
cause  of  the  growing  intensity  of  the  cold.  Mr.  Wight  was 
very  careful,  and  through  his  influence  in  newspaper  circles, 
was  able  to  get  them  a  most  comfortable  position,  and  they 
suffered  no  inconvenience  or  ill-effects  from  this,  our  daughter's 
first  experience  at  an  inaugural  ball.  Like  all  young  people, 
she  was  so  enthusiastic  about  all  she  saw,  and  the  interesting 
people  who  were  present,  that  she  was  unmindful  of  the  cold. 

The  President  and  Mrs.  Grant  and  Vice-President  Wilson, 
who  was  a  widower,  arrived  at  about  half  past  eleven  o'clock. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fish,  Secretary  and  Mrs.  Boutwell,  Secretary 
and  Mrs.  Belknap,  Secretary  Robeson,  Postmaster- General 


324  REMINISCENCES   OF 

and  Mrs.  Creswell,  Attorney- General  and  Mrs.  Williams, 
Secretary  and  Mrs.  Delano,  accompanied  by  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
John  Delano,  were  in  the  Presidential  party,  while  the  Diplo 
matic  Corps,  led  by  the  Dean  Blacque  Bey  of  Turkey,  Sir 
Edward  Thornton,  the  Marquis  de  Naoville  of  France,  Mr. 
and  Madame  Mori  of  Japan,  and  the  Peruvian  minister,  all  in 
full  court  dress — as  on  the  occasion  of  all  inaugural  balls,  the 
ladies  wearing  their  most  gorgeous  gowns — attended  the  ball, 
and  the  grand  promenade  was  given.  The  marquee  not  being 
heated,  it  became  so  cold  that  one  lady  was  seized  with  a 
congestive  chill  and  died  in  the  room.  This  sad  event,  in 
addition  to  the  intensity  of  the  cold,  from  which  everybody 
was  suffering,  cut  short  the  ceremonies  of  the  evening.  The 
food  on  the  tables  in  the  banquet  hall  was  congealed,  the 
coffee  almost  freezing  into  a  frappe.  Men  and  women  in 
evening  dress  sought  their  heavy  wraps  to  keep  from  perish 
ing  while  they  waited  for  their  conveyances  to  take  them  to 
their  abodes.  Drivers  of  vehicles  of  all  kinds  were  almost 
frozen,  and  great  confusion  reigned  inside  and  outside  the 
temporary  building.  Musicians  were  unable  to  play  their 
instruments,  the  mouthpieces  of  some  of  the  smaller  instru 
ments  being  frozen,  and  the  festivities  ended  unceremoniously. 
The  great  crowd  which  had  come  to  Washington  for  the  in 
augural  ceremonies  left  the  city  as  rapidly  as  they  could  get 
trains  to  carry  them  away. 

The  newspaper  men  and  women  then  in  Washington  were 
among  the  most  brilliant  of  the  guild.  All  the  metropolitan 
newspapers  had  bureaus  in  Washington,  presided  over  by  a 
coterie  of  men  who  were  the  equals,  if  not  the  superiors,  intel 
lectually  of  the  men  at  the  head  of  the  bureaus  of  the  metro 
politan  newspapers  of  to-day.  Among  them  were  such  men 
as  Whitelaw  Reid  of  the  New  York  Tribune;  J.  B.  McCul- 
lough  of  the  Saint  Louis  Democrat;  Alexander  McClure  of 
the  Philadelphia  Ledger;  Horace  White,  Mr.  Sheehan,  of  the 
Chicago  Times;  Murat  Halstead,  L.  A.  Gobright,  E.  B.  Wight, 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  325 

George  A.  Townsend,  J.  Russell  Young,  subsequently  librarian 
of  the  Congressional  Library,  W.  Scott  Smith,  Eli  Perkins, 
Charles  Lanman,  Don  Piatt,  Ben  Perley  Poore,  E.  V.  Smalley, 
Mark  Twain,  Frederick  Douglass,  and  a  host  of  correspond 
ents  who  have  made  enviable  reputations  in  their  calling. 
Among  the  women  reporters  who  wielded  influential  pens  as 
correspondents  of  important  newspapers  were  Mary  Clemmer 
Ames,  Mrs.  Lippincott,  Mrs.  H.  M.  Barnum,  Mrs.  Olivia 
Briggs,  Mrs.  Coggswell,  Mrs.  and  Miss  Snead,  and  Miss  Mary 
E.  Healey. 

General  Grant  soon  nominated  his  cabinet,  retaining  those 
who  had  served  during  his  first  term,  with  the  exception  of 
the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury.  The  members  of  the  cabinet 
were:  Hamilton  Fish,  Secretary  of  State;  William  A.  Richard 
son,  Secretary  of  the  Treasury;  W.  W.  Belknap,  Secretary  of 
War;  George  M.  Robeson,  Secretary  of  the  Navy;  Columbus 
Delano,  Secretary  of  the  Interior;  John  A.  Creswell,  Post 
master-General;  George  H.  Williams,  Attorney-General. 
Congress  resumed  its  treadmill  routine,  with  now  and  again 
outbursts  of  criticism  and  vituperation  heaped  upon  Presi 
dent  Grant. 

On  March  9  our  friend  Doctor  John  P.  Taggart,  of  Salt 
Lake  City,  telegraphed  General  Logan  that  my  father  had 
passed  away  from  a  return  of  the  meningitis  from  which  he 
had  suffered  the  summer  previous.  There  were  three  of  my 
mother's  children  with  my  father  in  Utah,  and  we  realized 
at  once  that  there  was  no  alternative  but  for  me  to  again 
return  to  Utah.  It  was  impossible  for  General  Logan  to 
leave  his  post  of  duty,  and  we  had  no  one  whom  we  could 
send  who  could  attend  to  matters  and  who  understood  affairs 
as  I  did.  Consequently  I  made  the  second  long,  sad  trip 
to  Utah,  to  bring  my  father's  remains  home  to  be  interred 
beside  my  mother,  in  the  cemetery  at  Marion,  Williamson 
County,  Illinois,  and  to  assume  the  care  and  support  of  the 
three  children  left  unprovided  for.  I  do  not  even  now  like 


326  A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE 

to  recall  that  melancholy  journey,  or  the  multiplied  cares 
which  I  had  to  assume,  and  which  could  never  have  been 
borne  but  for  the  unfailing  tenderness  and  encouragement  of 
my  devoted  husband.  He  was  perfectly  willing  to  share 
everything  we  had  with  my  minor  brother  and  sisters,  who 
by  my  father's  death  had  become  double  orphans.  We  had 
taken  a  furnished  house  on  Capitol  Hill  when  I  returned  to 
Washington,  in  November  previous,  for  the  session  of  Con 
gress  which  ended  March  4,  and  as  soon  as  it  was  possible 
took  the  children  and  returned  to  our  home  in  Chicago. 


CHAPTER  XIII 

PROSPECTING  IN  COLORADO  - 

FINALE  —  GENERAL  LOGAN  FROZEN  OUT  —  THE  CHICAGO 
STRIKES  OF  1873  —  OPENING  OF  THE  " GRAND  PACIFIC"  HOTEL 
-  MY  NEW  YEAR'S  RECEPTION  —  OUR  NEIGHBORS,  THE  JONESES, 
LEITERS,  MEEKERS,  BROSSES,  STONES,  MARSHALL  FIELDS, 
PULLMANS,  AND  OTHERS  —  THE  VIRGINIUS  MASSACRE  —  THE 
DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA  REORGANIZED  —  THE  FREEDMEN'S 
BUREAU  INVESTIGATION  —  LEADERS  OF  THE  SENATE,  ANTHONY, 
CONKLING,  HAMLIN,  CARPENTER,  MORTON,  CAMERON,  SHERMAN, 

THURMAN,  GORDON,  ALLISON,  AND  OTHERS  —  NELLIE  GRANT'S 
ELABORATE  WEDDING  AT  THE  WHITE  HOUSE  —  WEDDING  OF 
COLONEL  FREDERICK  D.  GRANT  IN  CHICAGO. 

IT  was  quite  late  in  the  summer  before  General  Logan 
reached  home,  as  the  extra  session  of  the  Senate  which  con 
vened  after  the  inauguration,  March  4,  1873,  had  been  pro 
tracted  much  longer  than  had  been  expected.  The  children 
were  out  of  school,  and  we  were  all  settled  in  our  lovely  home, 
2119  Calumet  Avenue.  The  rear  of  our  house  overlooked 
the  lake,  and,  the  broad  lawns  of  the  block  being  undivided 
by  fences,  those  who  lived  in  this  square  had  the  benefit  of  a 
beautiful  park  in  the  front  and  back  of  their  homes.  Conse 
quently  we  found  it  unnecessary  to  go  away  in  summer. 

General  Logan  had  worked  very  hard  in  the  campaign, 
which  was  scarcely  over  when  the  last  session  of  the  Forty- 
second  Congress  began.  He  had  really  had  no  rest  from  the 
day  he  took  his  seat  in  the  Senate,  in  1871.  We  had  a  num 
ber  of  friends  in  the  West  who  begged  us  to  come  to  Colorado. 
Through  the  death  of  my  father  my  cares  had  multiplied  so 
greatly  that  it  was  impossible  for  me  to  leave  home.  I 
urged  my  husband  to  go,  however,  and  after  much  hesitation 

327 


328  REMINISCENCES   OF 

he  went.  While  there  he  joined  a  party  of  capitalists,  who 
were  making  prospecting  tours  over  the  mountains  and  along 
Cripple  Creek,  hunting  for  gold  and  silver  mines.  They  dis 
covered  some  "rich  indications."  General  Logan  always 
insisted  upon  putting  up  his  quota  of  expenses  for  these 
prospecting  expeditions,  and  promptly  drew  upon  the  small 
savings  we  had  in  bank.  All  went  merrily  while  he  re 
mained  and  helped  to  furnish  the  "stake,"  and  he  was  con 
sidered  one  of  the  partners,  on  an  equal  footing  with  the  others. 
Finally  General  Logan  had  to  come  home  on  account  of 
urgent  affairs.  After  his  return  the  others  frequently  drew 
upon  him  for  funds  to  continue  the  prospecting,  which  was 
being  made  by  these  "true  friends,"  who  "were  anxious  to 
strike  a  bonanza  on  General  Logan's  account,"  because  he 
had  done  so  much  in  securing  for  them  lucrative  appoint 
ments.  Letters  came  regularly,  saying  they  had  not  yet 
struck  a  "rich  vein,"  but  the  indications  were  good,  and  they 
required  only  fifty  or  one  or  two  hundred  dollars  more,  as 
the  case  might  be,  to  insure  success.  General  Logan  was  one 
of  the  most  trustful  men  I  have  ever  known.  He  simply 
would  not  believe  in  the  infidelity  of  a  friend  until  indubitable 
evidence  forced  him  to  see  what  was  plain  to  every  one  else. 
He  could  ill  afford  the  demands  made  upon  him,  but  could  not 
bear  to  disappoint  these  supposed  faithful  friends.  He  be 
came  very  sensitive  over  the  matter,  and  did  not  like  to  have 
me  inquire  "how  much  fodder  the  mules  needed,"  when 
letters  came  requesting  remittances.  Finally  he  became  sus 
picious  and  declined  to  send  more  money.  Soon  afterward 
there  was  great  excitement  over  the  discovery  of  the  "Morn 
ing  Star"  mine  by  the  parties  with  whom  he  had  been  associ 
ated.  They  telegraphed  him  that  they  were  very  sorry,  but 
the  discovery  of  the  "Morning  Star"  had  not  been  made 
until  after  the  funds  to  which  he  had  contributed  had  been 
exhausted,  and  therefore  he  was  not  a  partner  in  the  owner 
ship  of  the  great  mine.  He  felt  very  badly  over  this  treat- 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  329 

ment  by  men  for  whom  he  had  done  many  acts  of  kindness, 
and  no  one  dared  mention  the  matter  in  his  presence.  He 
was  subsequently  very  glad  that  they  had  ruled  him  out  in 
the  beginning,  as  all  the  world  knows  of  the  shocking  imposi 
tion  that  was  played  upon  General  Grant  and  of  all  the 
scandal  and  trouble  which  ensued.  These  same  men  were 
the  ones  implicated  in  the  swindle  that  brought  so  much  sor 
row  to  General  Grant,  and  ended  in  a  penitentiary  term  for 
at  least  one  of  them. 

General  Logan  was  very  anxious  to  make  money  in  a  legiti 
mate  way,  and  therefore  invested  in  mines  in  Colorado  rather 
extensively,  but  the  story  was  always  the  same.  He  was  too 
trustful  and  too  honest  to  gamble  in  mining-stocks,  and,  as  a 
consequence,  we  had  enough  beautifully  engraved  certificates 
of  stock  in  mines,  for  which  he  paid  cash,  to  paper  a  good- 
sized  room,  which  were,  of  course,  worthless.  Everything 
that  General  Logan  ever  had  he  earned  by  hard  work,  and, 
while  he  had  many  successes,  he  could  not  be  said  to  have 
been  born  under  a  lucky  financial  star. 

The  year  1873  was  the  beginning  of  the  revolutionary  action 
on  the  part  of  strikers.  I  shall  not  soon  forget  that  I  one 
day  received  a  letter  from  General  Logan,  who  was  then  in 
Colorado,  desiring  me  to  go  down  to  our  bank  to  arrange 
some  matters  for  him.  I  was  so  much  afraid  that,  if  I  waited 
for  the  coachman  to  get  the  carriage  ready,  I  should  not  have 
the  package  in  time  for  the  mail  that  I  decided  to  go  down  on 
the  street-car  and  forward  from  the  bank  the  documents  he 
wanted  out  of  the  safety-deposit  vault.  I  was  not  aware  of 
the  excitement  existing  in  Chicago  at  the  time,  and  imagine 
my  consternation  when  I  found  the  streets  full  of  strikers, 
with  militiamen  trying  in  every  way  to  preserve  order.  I 
went  into  the  bank  and  found  the  cashier  standing  at  the 
window  with  a  pistol  lying  on  either  side.  I  inquired  what  the 
trouble  was,  and  he  said  that  the  strikers  had  threatened  to 
sack  the  banks  of  Chicago;  that  they  were  obliged  to  keep 


330  REMINISCENCES  OF 

the  doors  open  during  banking-hours,  and  consequently  had 
had  to  provide  themselves  with  arms  to  defend  their  deposits. 
It  was  the  year  in  which  such  fearful  destruction  of  property 
occurred  in  Pittsburg,  and  I  have  always  felt,  if  those  in  au 
thority  had  thought  less  of  the  consequences  to  themselves 
politically,  and  had  caused  the  law  to  be  executed  and  these 
men  in  Chicago  punished,  we  should  not  have  had  such  fre 
quent  repetitions  of  revolutionary  action  on  the  part  of  men 
nursing  imaginary  wrongs. 

General  Logan  had  assumed  the  burden  of  the  care  of  the 
members  of  my  father's  family  so  cheerfully  and  willingly 
that  I  could  not  help  worrying,  greatly  to  his  distress,  over 
the  rapidly  multiplying  expenses  to  which  we  were  in  conse 
quence  subjected.  Hence  I  decided  that  it  would  be  better 
for  me  not  to  try  to  go  to  Washington  with  the  general  for 
the  meeting  of  Congress,  December  i,  1873.  For  the  first 
time  since  the  general  had  re-entered  Congress  after  the  close 
of  the  war  I  remained  away  from  the  capital  until  after  the 
holidays,  which  General  Logan  was  to  spend  with  us  in  our 
Chicago  home. 

Chicago  was  rapidly  regaining  her  importance  as  a  great 
city.  The  world  had  been  so  generous  that  the  citizens  no 
longer  required  the  relief  which  had  been  extended  them 
from  the  time  of  the  fire  in  October,  1871.  The  Grand  Pacific 
Hotel  had  been  built  and  was  one  of  the  largest  which  had, 
up  to  that  date,  been  erected  in  Chicago.  For  a  long  time  it 
had  been  the  custom  of  the  two  noted  hotel-managers,  Messrs. 
Gage  and  Drake,  to  have  in  November  what  they  called  a 
game  dinner.  It  was  always  a  wonderful  affair,  and  this  fall 
it  was  especially  notable  on  account  of  the  unique  manner  in 
which  it  was  served  in  the  new  Grand  Pacific  dining-room, 
which  seated  five  hundred  persons.  The  walls  and  every 
part  were  decorated  to  represent  a  forest.  On  all  the  tables 
they  had  different  devices  representing  the  various  animals 
and  birds  that  come  under  the  head  of  game.  I  remember 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  331 

one  especially  fine  stag  which  had  been  secured  from  the  far 
west,  and  stood  on  a  table  in  the  centre  of  the  room.  The 
superb  antlers  that  crowned  the  head  of  the  animal  attracted 
universal  attention,  as  did  a  fawn  and  the  head  of  a  great 
bear,  which  were  also  among  the  decorations.  There  were 
specimens  of  the  rabbit,  squirrel,  and  the  opossum,  while 
members  of  the  feathered  kingdom  were  interspersed  in  all 
their  glory  in  the  decoration  of  every  table.  The  beauty  of 
the  arrangement  of  birds'  nests  in  artistic  devices  was  beyond 
the  description  of  an  ordinary  pen.  These  specimens  were, 
of  course,  stuffed,  while  on  the  menu  appeared  bear,  venison, 
opossum,  rabbit,  and  squirrel  meat,  followed  by  pheasant, 
turkey,  goose,  duck,  guinea-keat,  chicken,  plover,  quail,  and 
reedbird.  An  example  of  every  member  of  the  entire  feath 
ered  kingdom  which  is  used  as  food  was  laid  before  the  guests. 
There  were  many  speeches  and  songs  written  for  the  occasion, 
and  the  "wee  sma'  hours"  had  approached  before  the  happy 
party  dispersed. 

The  indomitable  spirit  of  Chicago  was  just  as  irresistible 
then  as  it  has  been  ever  since,  and  it  seemed  as  if  a  magician's 
wand  had  been  employed  to  cause  so  many  superb  buildings 
and  other  improvements  to  spring  up  in  such  a  short  time  as 
had  elapsed  since  the  fire  of  October,  1871.  We  had  just 
come  to  Chicago  when  the  fire  occurred,  and  had  been  away 
almost  ever  since.  We  were  very  glad  therefore  to  renew 
the  acquaintance  of  the  friends  we  had  known  before,  and  to 
make  new  friends.  New  Year's  Day  had  not  been  as  uni 
versally  observed  in  Chicago  as  was  the  custom  in  Washing 
ton.  Therefore  I  conceived  the  idea  that,  as  General  Logan 
would  be  at  home  for  the  holidays,  I  would  celebrate  New 
Year's  Day  by  keeping  open  house. 

January  i,  1874,  was  an  unusually  bright  day  for  that  cli 
mate,  and  we  had  the  pleasure  of  receiving  our  friends  continu 
ously  from  ten  o'clock  in  the  morning  until  that  hour  at  night. 
I  had  caused  a  notice  to  be  given  out  that  we  should  be  glad 


332  REMINISCENCES  OF 

to  see  our  friends,  and  many  came  who  were  delighted  to  wel 
come  General  Logan  and  myself  as  residents  of  Chicago.  I 
invited  quite  a  number  of  young  ladies  to  assist  me,  and  some 
of  them  sang  and  played  beautifully.  To  make  this  essen 
tially  a  home  affair,  they  furnished  the  music  at  intervals 
during  the  day  instead  of  introducing  hired  musicians.  We 
had  a  bountiful  table  from  which  our  callers  were  served  with 
whatever  they  desired.  This  was  the  last  New  Year's  Day 
we  ever  had  the  pleasure  of  being  in  Chicago.  The  popula 
tion  of  Chicago  increased  so  rapidly  that  it  became  impracti 
cable  to  observe  the  general  custom  of  receiving  on  New  Year's 
Day. 

There  were  many  magnificent  homes  on  Wabash,  Michigan, 
Indiana,  Prairie,  and  Calumet  Avenues,  south  of  Sixteenth 
Street,  which  were  not  reached  by  the  fire.  They  were  occu 
pied  by  courageous  men  who  were  foremost  in  the  work  of 
rebuilding  Chicago.  On  the  corner  of  Twenty-second  Street 
and  Calumet  Avenue  lived  Mr.  Daniel  Jones  and  his  interest 
ing  family.  Mr.  Jones  was  one  of  the  pioneers  of  Chicago — 
a  short,  sturdy,  active  man,  who  took  part  in  everything  that 
contributed  to  the  prosperity  of  his  beloved  city,  and  by  his 
will  many  charitable  institutions  were  greatly  benefited. 

Mr.  L.  Z.  Leiter,  the  famous  merchant,  and  his  family 
lived  directly  opposite  us.  Their  children,  like  our  own,  were 
quite  small  and  played  together  constantly.  Mr.  Leiter  was 
a  great  study.  He  was  methodical  and  indefatigable  in  his 
attention  to  his  business.  I  used  to  see  him  go  out  of  his  house 
every  morning  at  seven  o'clock,  to  get  into  a  buggy  which 
stood  in  front  of  the  door  waiting  for  him.  He  seemed  to  re 
turn  every  day  at  one  o'clock  to  give  an  hour  for  his  luncheon, 
and  then  back  to  business,  not  to  reach  home  until  six  o'clock. 
Day  after  day  he  proceeded  in  this  routine.  His  family  en 
tertained  by  giving  dinners  occasionally. 

Mr.  Aldrich,  subsequently  a  member  of  Congress,  was  on 
the  other  corner,  while  on  our  side  of  the  street,  on  the  corner 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  333 

of  Twenty-first  and  Calumet  Avenue,  was  the  residence  of  the 
celebrated  surgeon  Doctor  Gunn  and  his  charming  family. 
Mrs.  Gunn  was  a  lovely  woman,  who  was  very  domestic  in 
her  tastes.  Their  sons  and  daughters  received  her  constant 
attention,  and  are  now  among  the  worthy  citizens  of  the  city 
of  their  birth. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  A.  B.  Meeker,  father  and  mother  of  Mr. 
Arthur  Meeker,  one  of  the  enterprising  men  of  Chicago, 
lived  in  our  block;  Mr.  and  Mrs.  John  Markley,  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  John  Ailing,  of  the  firm  of  Ailing  &  Markley,  lived  in 
adjoining  houses  to  us  and  were  among  our  most  intimate 
friends;  while  that  ill-fated  public-spirited  man  John  R. 
Walsh,  with  his  splendid  family,  also  resided  within  two  doors 
of  us.  Mr.  Walsh  was  a  very  tall,  rather  stooping  man, 
whose  keen  eyes  indicated  the  restlessness  of  his  disposition. 
He  was  in  every  sense  a  self-made  man,  and  it  is  a  melan 
choly  thought  to  recall  the  combination  of  circumstances 
which  led  to  his  undoing.  If,  in  an  evil  hour,  he  did  anything 
that  could  be  construed  as  irregular,  he  paid  a  penalty  too  sad 
to  contemplate.  One  thing  is  certain — Chicago  owes  him  as 
much  as  any  other  man  for  its  rapid  advancement  to  its  present 
greatness  and  for  his  generosity  to  the  charities  and  philan 
thropic  enterprises  of  the  city.  I  can  never  believe  Mr. 
Walsh  did  anything  in  his  whole  career  which  had  not  pre 
viously  been  done  by  others.  I  am  quite  sure  he  had  no  dis 
honorable  intent  in  any  act  of  his  life. 

Ex- Governor  Bross,  one  of  the  proprietors  of  the  Chicago 
Tribune,  was  our  next-door  neighbor  on  the  north.  Mrs. 
Bross  was  an  invalid,  hence  their  intellectual  and  charming 
daughter  Jessie  did  the  honors  of  the  house.  She  was  inter 
ested  in  music  and  literature,  and  in  all  social  matters.  She 
subsequently  married  Henry  D.  Lloyd,  the  noted  writer. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  H.  O.  Stone  resided  near  us.  Mr.  Stone 
was  one  of  the  earliest  successful  men  of  Chicago,  and  came 
to  the  city  when  it  was  a  wooden  hamlet  on  the  great  prairie. 


334  REMINISCENCES   OF 

He  appreciated  the  possibilities  of  making  Chicago  the  won 
derful  city  it  is  to-day,  and  joined  heartily  in  the  various 
movements  to  accomplish  this  end.  He  had  married  for  his 
second  wife  the  beautiful  Elizabeth  Yager,  of  Saratoga,  New 
York,  who  made  his  home  very  attractive.  Mrs.  Stone  was 
gifted  in  the  matter  of  dispensing  hospitality  and  in  provi 
ding  entertainment  for  her  friends.  As  a  result,  their  house 
was  one  where  society  met  most  frequently. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Marshall  Field  were  also  near  neighbors  of 
ours.  Marshall  Field  was  of  the  Field-Leiter  firm,  merchant 
princes  of  Chicago  from  the  days  of  the  Civil  War.  In  per 
sonal  appearance  Mr.  Field  was  a  French  marquis,  and  no  one 
could  imagine  that  back  of  his  suavity  of  manner  there  was 
that  rigidly  calculating  nature  which  enabled  him  to  change 
the  discouragements  and  calamities  of  the  fire  into  means 
with  which  to  turn  the  wheels  of  prosperity  and  success. 
The  first  Mrs.  Field  was  of  slight  stature,  medium  height, 
with  dark-brown  eyes  and  hair,  and  very  fair  complexion. 
Her  manners  were  charming;  her  wit  fascinating.  She  always 
had  about  her  interesting  people.  She  encouraged  every  artist 
who  appealed  to  her  for  aid,  and  her  natural  generosity  caused 
her  list  of  pensioners  to  be  quite  long.  Unfortunately,  the 
attractions  of  Paris  won  her  away  from  her  Chicago  home  and 
friends,  and  like  the  many  who  become  infatuated  with  the 
illusion  and  unreal  life  of  the  French  capital,  she  drifted  into 
its  current  and  died  an  untimely  death  in  France,  surrounded 
by  people  who  had  lived  on  her  bounty  while  they  encouraged 
her  estrangement  from  her  native  land. 

Mr.  George  M.  Pullman  was  one  of  the  foremost  men 
of  that  matchless  coterie  who  rehabilitated  Chicago  and 
pushed  forward  the  interests  of  that  great  city  years  in  ad 
vance  of  what  it  would  have  attained  in  the  ordinary  course 
of  events.  Mr.  Pullman  was  a  man  of  unusually  fine  appear 
ance — six  feet  tall,  with  a  well-developed  physique,  a  fine 
head,  and  dark-brown  eyes  which  expressed  his  genial,  gen- 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  335 

erous  disposition.  He  married  in  1866  Miss  Harriet  Sanger, 
one  of  the  most  famous  beauties  of  Chicago  and  the  West. 
As  soon  as  possible  after  the  fire  he  built  his  palatial  brown- 
stone  residence  at  the  corner  of  Eighteenth  Street  and  Prairie 
Avenue.  In  this  mansion  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Pullman  royally 
entertained  the  most  distinguished  visitors  who  came  to 
Chicago,  especially  during  the  World's  Columbian  Exposition. 
Both  host  and  hostess  had  travelled  extensively  and  had 
legions  of  friends  who  were  glad  to  accept  their  invitations. 
Artists  in  every  line  were  sure  of  a  warm  reception  and  en 
couragement  from  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Pullman,  and  more  than 
one  has  been  able  to  cultivate  their  special  talent  through  the 
generosity  of  these  kindly  people.  No  movement  in  the  line 
of  progress,  education,  or  charity  was  ever  started  in  Chicago 
without  a  liberal  donation  and  every  encouragement  from 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Pullman. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Henry  Strong  and  their  family,  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Lester,  the  Armours,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  J.  W.  Doan,  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Spalding,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cobb,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Norman  Williams, 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  John  M.  Clark,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  E.  B.  Sherman, 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Jerome  Beecher,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Enos  Ayers,  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Dunlevy,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Coolbaugh  (Douglas's  great 
friends),  and  Colonel  and  Mrs.  John  M.  Loomis  resided  near 
us.  Colonel  Loomis  attracted  universal  attention  because  of 
his  love  for  riding  on  horseback  with  all  the  paraphernalia  of 
an  officer  of  the  army.  He  could  be  seen  any  afternoon, 
mounted  on  his  beautiful  black  horse,  with  all  the  trappings 
of  a  colonel  of  the  army,  and  his  mounted  orderly  close  be 
hind  him,  riding  along  the  avenues  and  through  the  parks  of 
Chicago.  Colonel  Loomis  was  a  noble  and  generous  man, 
and  had  an  illustrious  record  as  a  volunteer  officer  during  the 
Civil  War.  Mrs.  Loomis  was  in  all  respects  a  fitting  com 
panion  for  this  noted  man. 

Many  others  of  that  remarkable  generation  were  within  a 
few  squares  of  our  door.  I  was  glad  of  an  opportunity  to 


336  REMINISCENCES  OF 

come  to  know  them  better  and,  as  far  as  possible,  to  partic 
ipate  in  their  many  schemes  for  the  betterment  of  social 
conditions  and  the  welfare  of  mankind. 

When  General  Logan  went  to  Washington  in  December, 
1873,  he  removed  from  Willard's  Hotel,  where  we  had  formerly 
lived,  to  1114  G  Street,  where  he  found  delightful  accommoda 
tions  in  a  private  house.  When  we  returned  to  Washington 
after  the  holidays  were  over,  we  went  directly  to  these  apart 
ments  where  we  remained  for  a  number  of  years.  Our  host, 
Captain  Havard,  was  a  most  interesting  man.  He  was  a 
Frenchman,  and  had  served  in  the  French  army  as  a  commis 
sioned  officer,  but  came  to  America  at  the  breaking  out  of 
the  Civil  War.  He  was  an  officer  in  the  Union  army,  and  was 
wounded  in  one  of  the  battles  in  Virginia.  He  was  brought  to 
Washington  and  nursed  back  to  health  again  by  a  widowed 
lady  who  had  removed  from  Virginia.  He  was  a  very  scholarly 
and  a  most  interesting  man,  and  it  was  a  great  study  to  see 
him  and  his  Virginian  wife  together,  as  her  chief  qualifications 
were  those  of  a  good  housewife. 

The  calendar  of  the  Senate  was  a  long  one,  and  General 
Logan  soon  became  absorbed  in  the  matters  before  that  body. 
Among  the  questions  to  be  decided  was  the  settlement  of  the 
Virginius  massacre,  which  was  conducted  so  satisfactorily 
that  General  Grant  received  the  thanks  of  the  survivors. 
Congress  also  passed  a  resolution  asking  all  foreign  powers  to 
take  part  in  the  Centennial  Exposition  which  was  to  be  held 
in  Philadelphia  in  1876,  and  made  an  appropriation  of 
$1,500,000  to  aid  Philadelphia  in  carrying  out  the  plans  for 
the  exposition. 

In  the  discussion  of  the  Louisiana  imbroglio  which  took 
place  at  this  time  the  ablest  men  in  the  Senate  took  a  very 
active  part.  Matthew  Carpenter,  of  Wisconsin,  made  his  fa 
mous  review  of  the  situation. 

So  much  criticism  had  been  made  of  the  government  of 
the  District  of  Columbia  under  the  territorial  law,  and  so 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  337 

many  charges  of  fraud  and  unjust  rulings  in  the  administra 
tion  of  its  affairs,  that  Senator  Thurman  of  Ohio  introduced, 
in  January,  1874,  a  resolution  asking  for  the  investigation 
of  the  affairs  of  the  District  of  Columbia.  Under  this  reso 
lution  Governor  Shepherd  was  furnished  with  a  list  of  ques 
tions  as  to  the  affairs  of  his  administration,  to  which  he 
replied.  After  a  long  and  tedious  discussion  of  the  subject 
in  Congress,  the  form  of  government  was  returned  to  that  of 
commission,  President  Grant  sending  in  the  names  of  A.  R. 
Shepherd,  A.  G.  Cattell,  and  Henry  T.  Blow  for  commis 
sioners  of  the  district.  These  men  failed  of  confirmation, 
and  subsequently  J.  H.  Ketchum  of  New  York,  Henry  T. 
Blow  of  Missouri,  and  W.  Dennison  of  Ohio,  were  appointed 
and  confirmed.  The  commissioners  discharged  many  of  the 
employees  who  had  held  positions  under  the  territorial  gov 
ernment. 

Among  the  important  work  of  the  committees  of  the  Sen 
ate  was  the  investigation  of  General  O.  O.  Howard's  adminis 
tration  of  the  Freedmen's  Bureau.  The  trial  culminated  in 
the  acquittal  of  General  Howard  in  July,  and  he  was  ordered 
to  take  command  of  the  Department  of  the  Columbia,  U.  S.  A., 
with  headquarters  in  Portland,  Oregon.  J.  S.  Creswell, 
Doctor  Purvis,  and  L.  H.  Leipold  were  appointed  to  take 
charge  of  and  wind  up  the  affairs  of  the  Freedmen's  Bank, 
which  from  the  first  had  been  a  very  ill-managed  affair  and 
caused  lots  of  trouble  to  the  colored  people  in  whose  interest 
it  was  supposed  to  have  been  organized. 

The  question  of  the  finishing  of  the  Washington  Monument 
was  taken  up,  and  a  handsome  appropriation  made  by  Con 
gress,  which,  together  with  private  subscriptions,  caused  to  be 
completed  this  matchless  shaft  to  the  memory  of  George 
Washington,  first  President  of  the  United  States. 

It  was  no  small  thing  at  that  time  to  be  one  of  the  leaders 
in  the  Senate,  for  that  body  was  made  up  of  men  of  keen 
minds  and  indomitable  courage.  Anthony  of  Rhode  Island, 


338  REMINISCENCES  OF 

a  ponderous  sort  of  a  man,  with  all  the  alertness  and  intuitive 
grasp  of  a  New  Englander,  was  always  on  the  watch  and 
ready  for  discussions  of  every  question  that  might  in  any  way 
lessen  the  influence  of  New  England.  Roscoe  Conkling  was 
probably  the  handsomest  man  in  the  Senate,  and  was  most 
fastidious  in  his  style  of  dress  and  manner.  He  was  ever 
ready  for  a  debate,  and  made  many  enemies  by  the  sneers 
with  which  he  treated  the  remarks  of  brother  senators  with 
whom  he  disagreed.  He  was  so  intense  in  everything  he 
did  that  he  sometimes  apparently  forgot  there  was  any 
other  person  in  the  Senate  besides  himself,  and  seemed  to  feel 
that  upon  him  alone  rested  the  responsibility  of  averting  all 
the  evils  that  threatened  the  republic.  His  industry  was 
prodigious,  and  the  great  State  of  New  York  never  had  a 
more  able  or  faithful  senator  than  was  Roscoe  Conkling.  He 
eschewed  all  social  functions,  as  his  family  were  rarely  with 
him,  and  was  infrequently  seen  at  receptions,  even  in  the 
White  House.  He  occasionally  accepted  invitations  to  dine 
with  gentlemen,  but  had  few  intimates.  It  was  natural  for 
him  to  be  reserved,  but  no  more  faithful  friend  could  be 
found  than  Roscoe  Conkling  when  he  once  allowed  himself 
to  become  attached  to  a  brother  senator. 

In  striking  contrast  to  Senator  Conkling  was  his  colleague, 
Senator  Fenton.  He  had  a  most  genial  disposition  and 
agreeable  manner.  He  had  not  the  intellectual  power  of 
Conkling,  but  probably  accomplished  more  through  his 
diplomacy.  He  had  a  charming  family,  consisting  of  his 
wife  and  the  Misses  Fenton,  who  were  very  popular  in  Wash 
ington. 

The  venerable  Hannibal  Hamlin  of  Maine  was  a  tall  man, 
who  had  become  somewhat  bent  by  the  weight  of  years.  He 
was  mentally  as  keen  as  when  in  his  thirties.  He  was  un 
compromising  in  his  Republicanism,  and  had  no  patience 
with  colleagues  who  were  ready  on  the  slightest  provocation 
to  yield  points  of  advantage  to  the  opposition.  He  was  not 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  339 

especially  aggressive,  but  could  be  relied  upon  as  one  of  the 
most  faithful  committeemen  in  the  Senate.  His  spotless 
reputation  as  Vice-President  while  the  war  was  at  its  height 
secured  for  him  the  respect  and  admiration  of  all  his  associ 
ates.  Mrs.  Hamlin  was  a  typical  New  England  woman. 
They  had  two  daughters.  One  of  them  had  married  General 
Batchelder,  at  one  time  a  splendid  soldier.  General  Batch- 
elder  was  appointed  to  some  position  out  in  one  of  the  Terri 
tories,  where  he  became  very  much  demoralized,  and  the 
marriage  in  consequence  turned  out  badly,  and  Mrs.  Batch- 
elder  returned  to  her  father's  home.  Batchelder  finally  lost 
his  position,  came  to  Washington,  and  died  friendless  in  an 
isolated  quarter  of  the  city.  Mrs.  S.  P.  Brown,  who  was  a 
friend  of  the  Hamlins,  learned  of  Batchelder's  death,  and 
telegraphed  the  news  to  Senator  Hamlin.  With  characteristic 
promptness  the  old  senator  telegraphed  back:  "Bury  him 
decently,  and  I  will  pay  the  bill  with  pleasure." 

Matthew  H.  Carpenter  of  Wisconsin  has  been  described  as  a 
short,  heavy-set,  shaggy  man,  and  that  is  probably  a  correct 
description.  He  had,  however,  a  phenomenally  large  head, 
which  was  said  to  be  full  of  brains.  His  record  in  the  Senate 
shows  that  he  was  one  of  the  most  brilliant  men  in  that  body. 
He  was  relentless  in  his  prodigious  and  fearless  advocacy  of 
the  principles  of  his  party. 

Another  intellectual  giant  and  forceful  man  was  Governor 
O.  P.  Morton  of  Indiana.  His  physical  disabilities  did  not 
in  any  way  affect  his  wonderful  mentality.  Living  as  he  did 
in  a  border  State,  he  was  accustomed  to  being  in  a  contro 
versy  all  the  time,  and  was  ever  ready  to  defend  the  prin 
ciples  of  his  party  and  his  own  integrity.  He  had  made  an 
imperishable  reputation  as  war  governor  of  Indiana.  His 
people  were  much  divided  in  their  sympathies  between  the 
North  and  South.  Thomas  A.  Hendricks,  Daniel  H.  Voorhees, 
and  other  intellectual  giants  of  his  State  were  equally  fearless 
advocates  of  the  principles  of  the  Democratic  party,  and  often 


340  REMINISCENCES  OF 

defended  the  acts  of  the  Confederacy  in  its  efforts  to  destroy 
the  Union.  It  is  remarkable  that  Senator  Morton,  as  governor 
of  Indiana,  was  able  to  protect  his  State  from  being  overrun 
by  raiders  under  such  men  as  Morgan,  an  imaginary  line  only 
dividing  Indiana  from  the  slaveholding  States  of  Kentucky 
and  Tennessee. 

Simon  Cameron  of  Pennsylvania  was  one  of  the  most  re 
markable  men  in  the  Senate.  Born  in  the  last  year  of  the 
eighteenth  century,  his  experience  covered  many  years  of  his 
country's  history.  As  journeyman  printer  and  editor,  he 
worked  his  way  into  politics,  and  was  for  a  long  time  adjutant- 
general  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania.  Reaching  the  exalted 
position  of  United  States  senator  in  1845,  ne  was  re-elected  in 
1857  for  the  term  ending  1863.  He  took  an  active  part  in 
the  nomination  and  election  of  Mr.  Lincoln  in  1860,  and  in 
consequence  resigned  his  seat  in  the  Senate  to  accept  the 
position  of  Secretary  of  War  under  Mr.  Lincoln.  His  reputa 
tion  as  a  wonderful  organizer  led  Mr.  Lincoln  to  choose  him 
for  the  then  important  matter  of  organizing  the  Union  army. 
He  was  the  author  of  the  scheme  to  enlist  the  negroes,  a  move 
ment  which  contributed  much  to  the  numbers  and  strength 
of  the  army.  Mr.  Cameron,  like  all  successful  men,  had  many 
critics,  and  surrendered  the  war  portfolio  for  the  ministership 
to  Russia  in  1862.  He  had  amassed  a  large  fortune  and  could 
afford  to  give  the  United  States  her  proper  place  among  na 
tions  by  supplementing  the  meagre  salary  of  a  minister  to 
foreign  lands  with  ample  means  from  his  private  income, 
Diplomatic  life  was  not  congenial  to  him  or  his  family,  and 
he  soon  returned  to  his  beloved  native  land.  Notwithstanding 
the  charges  which  had  been  made  against  him,  he  was  elected 
to  the  United  States  Senate  in  1867,  and  again  in  1873.  His 
increasing  years  and  great  desire  to  have  his  son,  James 
Donald  Cameron,  succeed  him  in  the  Senate,  caused  him,  as 
soon  as  he  had  consummated  arrangements  for  his  son's 
election,  to  resign  for  the  second  time  his  seat  in  the  Senate. 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  341 

He  was  an  unusually  tall,  spare  man,  with  sandy  hair  and  clear 
blue  eyes  that  spoke  determination.  His  energy  was  in 
domitable,  his  astuteness  limitless.  He  was  not  a  fluent 
speaker,  but  so  positive  and  immovable  when  he  had  taken  a 
position  that  he  almost  invariably  carried  his  point.  His 
prejudices  were  intense,  his  friendship  steadfast,  and  while 
he  may  have  failed  in  his  relations  with  the  Diplomatic  Corps, 
the  management  of  the  political  and  national  affairs  of  his 
own  country  was  an  art  with  him.  His  power  in  the  Senate 
in  no  wise  waned  with  the  years. 

John  Sherman,  cold  and  calculating,  who,  in  rendering  great 
service  to  his  country  as  representative,  senator,  Secretary  of 
the  Treasury,  and  Premier,  did  not  neglect  to  look  after  his 
personal  interests,  was  one  of  the  most  active  and  efficient 
senators  in  the  Forty- third  Congress.  His  colleague,  Allen 
G.  Thurman,  was  one  of  the  ablest  men  in  the  Senate.  He 
had  been  a  member  of  the  House,  and  had  served  on  the 
bench  as  a  district  and  Supreme  Court  judge  in  his  adopted 
State  of  Ohio.  He  was  originally  a  native  of  Virginia,  and 
was  one  of  the  foremost  men  of  the  Democratic  party.  He 
was  ever  ready  to  join  the  men  on  that  side  of  the  Senate 
in  defence  of  the  measures  that  had  been  advocated  and  the 
policies  adopted  by  his  party. 

Rumors  of  the  great  wealth  of  Stewart  and  Jones  of  Ne 
vada,  had  been  heralded  before  they  made  their  appearance 
in  the  Senate,  and  it  was  not  long  before  they  demonstrated 
that  they  were  men  of  untiring  energy  and  keen  perception 
of  the  requirements  of  the  nation  during  the  progressive  era 
that  followed  the  close  of  the  Civil  War.  They  were  both 
steadfast  Republicans  and  devoted  friends  of  President  Grant. 

Hon.  William  Pitt  Kellogg  was  a  native  of  Vermont,  but 
removed  to  the  State  of  Illinois  at  an  early  age.  From  that 
State  he  was  appointed  Chief  Justice  to  the  Territory  of 
Nebraska.  At  the  breaking  out  of  the  war  he  returned  to 
Illinois  and  raised  a  regiment,  the  yth  Illinois  Cavalry.  After 


342  REMINISCENCES  OF 

the  war  he  was  appointed  collector  to  the  port  of  New 
Orleans.  The  bitterness  toward  him  was  so  intense  that  his 
life  was  in  jeopardy  many  times,  but  he  bravely  protected 
the  persecuted  citizens  and  upheld  the  laws  while  occupying 
this  position.  He  was  subsequently  appointed  governor  of 
the  State  of  Louisiana  from  which  position  he  was  elected  to 
the  United  States  Senate.  No  man  has  ever  displayed  more 
indomitable  energy,  sterling  integrity,  and  dauntless  courage 
in  the  discharge  of  the  duties  attendant  upon  the  positions 
he  held.  In  the  Senate  he  was  a  fearless  advocate  of  the 
supremacy  of  the  law  and  of  the  protection  of  Union  men  in 
the  States  lately  in  rebellion. 

On  the  other  side  of  the  chamber  were  such  men  as  John 
B.  Gordon,  a  man  of  imposing  appearance  and  great  ability. 
He  was  proud  of  the  part  he  had  taken  as  a  Confederate  officer 
during  the  rebellion,  and  was  generally  the  leader  in  criti 
cising  everything  that  was  done  by  Federal  officers  in  the 
South.  His  criticism  of  General  Sheridan's  handling  of  the 
troops  in  New  Orleans  caused  an  exciting  debate  between 
him  and  General  Logan,  which  friends  thought  at  one  time 
might  end  in  a  personal  difficulty,  as  both  men  were  known 
to  be  of  unflinching  courage  and  intense  partisan  feeling. 
There  has  rarely  appeared  anything  in  the  record  of  Congress 
so  caustic  as  General  Logan's  arraignment  of  Senator  Gordon. 
Gordon  soon  discovered  that  his  policy  would  not  result  in 
anything  good  for  his  people  or  his  party,  and  had  the  grace 
to  discontinue  his  personal  assaults  upon  representatives  of 
the  Government. 

Senator  William  B.  Allison  of  Iowa  had  had  a  very  long 
experience  in  the  House  of  Representatives.  He  was  a  most 
conscientious  and  careful  man,  and  soon  attained  the  posi 
tion  of  chairman  of  the  appropriations  committee  because  of 
his  great  discretion.  He  had  one  serious  fault  that  kept  him 
from  being  a  really  great  man,  and  that  was  his  disposition 
to  be  non-committal  on  every  subject.  He  was  never  willing 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  343 

to  take  the  lead  in  the  advocacy  of  any  measure  that  had 
not  been  previously  advocated  by  some  other  senator.  His 
reputation  for  being  non-committal  was  so  well  known  that 
there  were  a  great  many  stories  told  at  his  expense.  Senator 
Ingalls  of  Kansas  once  said  to  him:  " Brother  Allison,  you 
could  walk  across  the  Senate  floor  in  a  pair  of  wooden  shoes, 
and  you  would  not  make  any  more  noise  than  a  fly  crawling 
on  the  ceiling,  so  non-committal  are  you  on  all  questions  at 
all  times."  His  State  and  the  nation  had  implicit  confidence 
in  his  integrity,  his  patriotism,  and  his  steadfast  adherence  to 
Republican  principles,  but  he  was  in  no  sense  aggressive,  and 
many  times  allowed  golden  opportunities  for  doing  great  serv 
ice  to  his  country  to  pass  because  of  his  timidity.  Allison  was 
a  large,  heavy  man  with  dark  hair  and  brown  eyes.  He  was 
phlegmatic  and  conservative  in  every  sense  of  the  term. 

Hon.  John  J.  Ingalls  was  one  of  the  most  sensitive,  nervous 
men  that  was  ever  in  the  Senate.  His  intellect  was  keen,  his 
mind  active,  and  he  manifested  his  caustic  disposition  almost 
every  day  he  appeared  in  the  Senate.  He  could  no  more  help 
being  sarcastic  and  critical  than  he  could  help  the  color  of  his 
eyes.  He  was  very  thin  and  tall,  with  dark  hair  and  sharp 
features.  He  was  a  fine  lawyer,  a  forceful  writer,  and  prob 
ably  no  man's  utterances  in  the  Senate  were  couched  in 
more  refined  language  or  expressed  in  better  style  than  those 
of  John  J.  Ingalls.  He  was  at  one  time  accused  of  buying 
his  election  to  the  Senate.  General  Logan  was  on  the  com 
mittee  on  privileges  and  elections.  We  lived  in  the  same 
house  with  Ingalls,  and  one  morning,  after  the  Kansas  com 
mittee  had  called  on  General  Logan,  Ingalls  came  into  the 
room  and  asked  the  general  what  the  members  of  the  com 
mittee  had  said.  The  general  replied :  "  I  am  one  of  the  jury 
men,  and  I  can't  tell  you  what  they  said."  I  was  standing 
near  by,  and,  seeing  Senator  Ingalls's  intense  curiosity  in  the 
matter,  I  said:  " Senator,  I  am  not  on  the  committee,  and  I 
am  going  to  tell  you  what  they  said."  He  laughed  and  urged 


344  REMINISCENCES  OF 

me  to  do  so.  "They  say  that  you  bought  your  election." 
"Nonsense/'  he  said.  "I  hadn't  money  to  buy  a  single  vote, 
even  if  I  had  been  so  disposed.  The  truth  is,  I  couldn't  buy 
a  yawl,  if  ships  were  selling  at  a  quarter  apiece."  At  this  we 
all  laughed  heartily.  He  was  my  vis-a-vis  for  a  long  time  at 
the  table,  and  I  used  to  be  most  uncomfortable  at  his  phi 
lippics.  His  criticism  of  persons  for  whom  he  had  a  contempt 
was  a  thing  to  be  dreaded.  He  was  always  so  very  kind  to 
me,  however,  that  I  had  great  admiration  for  his  ability. 
One  day,  after  he  had  finished  a  tirade  against  somebody,  I 
said:  " Senator  Ingalls,  I  want  to  ask  a  favor  of  you."  He 
very  gallantly  replied:  "Mrs.  Logan,  you  could  ask  me  noth 
ing  that  I  would  not  promise  to  grant."  "It  is  this,"  I  said. 
"Promise  me  that  you  will  never  speak  of  me  save  in  kindness, 
whether  I  be  living  or  dead."  He  got  up  from  his  seat,  came 
round  the  end  of  the  table  where  General  Logan  sat,  and  took 
my  hand.  "Why  do  you  ask  that,  when  you  know  that  I 
could  never  speak  of  you  except  to  praise?"  he  asked.  He 
was  a  charming  man  in  his  family.  Mrs.  Ingalls  was  one  of 
the  loveliest  characters  I  ever  knew.  Senator  Ingalls's  defer 
ence  for  her  and  his  affection  and  kindness  were  in  striking 
contrast  to  his  sarcastic  treatment  of  so  many  others.  Kansas 
made  a'  great  mistake  when  she  discontinued  the  services  of 
John  J.  Ingalls  in  the  Senate.  In  the  house  where  we  boarded 
they  had  a  "Travel  Club,"  and  many  of  the  senators  and  rep 
resentatives  who  boarded  in  the  house  used  to  give  papers 
or  addresses  at  the  evening  sessions  of  the  society.  Senator 
Ingalls  gave  a  most  interesting  paper  on  George  Washington's 
birthday,  which  he  commenced  in  this  language:  "George 
Washington,  the  father  of  his  country,  and  said  to  be  the 
father  of  Judge  Blank,  of  Indiana,  etc."  You  can  imagine 
the  consternation  with  which  this  announcement  was  received, 
but  the  senator  went  right  on  with  his  beautiful  address  as  if 
he  had  said  nothing  out  of  the  way. 
Zachary  Chandler  of  Michigan  was  another  formidable 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  345 

man  in  the  Senate.  He  was  ponderous  in  appearance,  with 
a  very  large  head  covered  with  dark  hair.  He  was  so  posi 
tive  in  his  manner  that  every  word  he  uttered  seemed  to  come 
from  an  unchangeable  determination  in  his  mind.  He  was  a 
big  man  with  a  big  heart,  fierce  as  a  lion  as  an  antagonist 
but  true  to  his  friends,  toward  whom  he  was  gentle  as  a  lamb. 
The  probabilities  are  that  in  all  his  public  life  he  was  never 
more  outraged  than  over  the  part  which  he  was  deceived  into 
taking  in  securing  Grant's  acceptance  of  Belknap's  resignation 
before  people  understood  the  great  scandal  which  was  Belknap's 
undoing.  Chandler  was  so  honest  a  man  that  he  could  not  con 
ceive  of  a  public  official,  especially  a  man  with  such  a  record  as 
Belknap  had  as  a  soldier,  playing  the  part  of  which  he  was 
accused  in  the  matter  of  commissions  on  the  sale  of  post-trader- 
ships.  He  knew  no  such  word  as  timidity,  and  was  always 
ready  to  join  in  the  advocacy  of  measures  supposed  to  be  in 
the  interest  of  the  public  welfare.  His  record  as  a  senator 
and  as  Secretary  of  the  Interior  is  without  a  stain. 

Meanwhile,  in  a  political  way,  excitement  was  waxing  hot 
ter  and  hotter,  and  the  most  stupendous  charges  were  being 
made  against  President  Grant  and  his  administration,  while 
the  prominent  men  of  the  Republican  party  ably  defended 
them. 

On  July  i  General  John  A.  Creswell  of  Maryland,  Post 
master-General,  and  one  of  the  most  efficient  and  distinguished 
members  of  any  cabinet,  resigned.  Eugene  Hale  of  Maine 
was  appointed  his  successor,  but  for  some  reason,  after  con 
sidering  the  matter,  declined  the  post-office  portfolio.  Mar 
shall  Jewell,  a  prominent  Republican  of  Connecticut,  was 
appointed  and  confirmed  as  Postmaster- General. 

As  soon  as  Lent  was  over  society  began  a  series  of  enter 
tainments.  Members  of  the  cabinet,  senators,  and  citizens 
of  Washington  rivalled  each  other  in  magnificence  of  their 
luncheons,  dinners,  and  receptions.  It  was  rumored  that 
there  was  to  be  one  of  those  unusual  events  in  the  White 


346  REMINISCENCES  OF 

House  in  which  everybody  takes  a  personal  interest.  Nellie 
Grant  was  to  be  married  to  Algernon  Sartoris  of  England. 
In  the  early  springtime  of  1869  Secretary  and  Mrs.  Borie 
had  decided  to  take  a  trip  to  Europe,  inviting  Nellie  Grant 
to  go  with  them.  On  board  the  ship  she  met  the  young 
Englishman,  who  had  been  assiduous  in  his  attentions,  and, 
though  almost  every  intimate  friend  had  filed  a  protest  against 
the  marriage,  the  general  and  Mrs.  Grant  felt  they  could 
not  hold  out  against  Nellie's  expressed  wish  to  be  allowed  to 
marry  the  man  of  her  choice. 

The  President  and  Mrs.  Grant  had  a  bitter  trial  in  yield 
ing  to  the  importunities  of  Mr.  Sartoris,  and  allowing  their 
daughter  and  idol  to  marry  and  go  to  England  to  live  without 
any  hope  of  her  ever  returning  to  America.  Their  daughter's 
happiness,  however,  was  paramount  to  all  else  with  them, 
and,  though  they  did  not  approve  of  her  choice,  when  they 
found  that  she  could  not  be  persuaded  out  of  it  they  allowed 
her  to  have  everything  as  she  desired. 

Undoubtedly  Nellie  Grant's  was  the  most  elaborate  wed 
ding  that  ever  took  place  in  the  White  House.  Social  affairs 
in  Washington  were  never  brighter  than  in  the  spring  of 
1874.  The  city  was  full  of  officers  who  had  won  distinction  in 
the  army  and  navy  during  the  Civil  War.  The  Diplomatic 
Corps  was  composed  of  representative  men.  Many  of  them, 
as  also  numberless  citizens,  were  rich  and  entertained  con 
stantly.  President  Grant  could  count  wealthy  friends  by  the 
score  who  were  glad  to  do  anything  they  could  for  him  or 
his  family.  Nellie  was  so  young  and  so  much  beloved  by 
every  one  that,  while  they  hated  to  think  of  her  going  to  Eng 
land,  they  were,  in  consequence,  ready  to  lavish  everything 
upon  her.  No  bride  was  ever  more  beloved  or  received  a 
greater  number  of  magnificent  presents  than  did  Nellie  Grant. 
The  2ist  of  May,  1874,  was  a  glorious  spring  day.  The 
soft  air  was  laden  with  the  perfume  of  the  magnolias  and 
catalpas  of  the  parks.  Everything  was  full  of  life  and  hap- 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  347 

piness.  The  executive  mansion  had  been  elaborately  deco 
rated.  The  crowd  was  not  as  great  as  at  an  evening  recep 
tion,  as  only  the  most  distinguished  and  special  friends  of 
the  President  and  Mrs.  Grant  were  invited.  Many  members 
of  the  cabinet,  justices  of  the  Supreme  Court,  senators,  repre 
sentatives,  and  distinguished  officers  of  the  army  and  navy 
were  there.  Sir  Edward  and  Lady  Thornton  were  there  as 
friends  and  sponsors  for  the  bridegroom.  A  dais  had  been 
placed  between  the  windows  of  the  east  side,  above  which 
hung  a  floral  bell  with  long  smilax  ropes  attached.  At  eleven 
o'clock  Doctor  Tiffany,  of  the  Metropolitan  Methodist  Episco 
pal  Church,  entered  and  took  his  position  on  the  dais.  The 
Marine  Band  played  the  wedding  march  and  announced  the 
approach  of  the  bridal  party.  All  eyes  were  turned  to  the 
entrance  from  the  corridor.  The  bridegroom,  Mr.  Sartoris, 
and  Lieu  tenant- Colonel  Fred  D.  Grant  approached,  followed 
by  Miss  Edith  Fish  and  Miss  Frelinghuysen,  Miss  Sherman  and 
Miss  Porter,  Miss  Drexel  and  Miss  Dent.  Next  came  Mrs. 
Grant,  attended  on  either  side  by  her  two  sons,  Ulysses  and 
Jesse.  The  President  and  the  bride  brought  up  the  rear, 
the  bridesmaids  separating  so  as  to  form  a  circle,  the  Presi 
dent  and  bride  stepping  on  the  platform  where  the  bridegroom 
advanced  to  meet  the  bride.  Miss  Edith  Fish  stood  on  the 
other  side  as  maid  of  honor,  Mrs.  Grant  and  her  sons  standing 
immediately  behind  them.  Doctor  Tiffany,  a  man  of  im 
posing  appearance,  who  had  a  fine  voice,  pronounced  im 
pressively  the  ceremony  according  to  the  ritual  of  the 
Methodist  Church,  Mrs.  Grant's  tearful  eyes  betraying  the 
deep  emotions  of  her  mother's  heart  in  giving  up  her  daughter. 
A  superb  breakfast  was  served  in  the  State  dining-room;  the 
customary  boxes  of  bride's  cake  were  distributed,  after  which 
the  guests  made  their  adieus,  and  the  bride  and  groom  pre 
pared  for  their  departure  for  New  York  to  sail  on  the  Baltic 
for  England.  The  story  of  the  life  of  Mrs.  Sartoris,  the  death 
of  her  husband,  her  return  to  her  native  land,  and  her  recent 


348  A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE 

marriage  to  Mr.  Jones  of  Chicago — a  man  of  high  standing 
and  character — is  well  known.  Of  her  three  children,  her  son 
and  one  daughter  reside  in  France;  the  other  daughter  lives 
in  the  United  States. 

Congress  adjourned  in  June,  and  we  returned  to  our  home 
in  Chicago.  We  had  been  away  from  southern  Illinois  for 
four  years,  and  many  of  our  interests  there  required  General 
Logan's  attention.  He  spent  several  weeks  looking  after  our 
affairs  and  meeting  old  friends,  and  came  home  much  rested 
from  the  fatigues  of  the  long  and  trying  session  of  Congress. 
We  had  the  pleasure  of  enjoying  our  home  for  a  longer  time 
during  the  summer  of  1874  than  we  were  privileged  to  do 
afterward. 

In  October,  1874,  we  were  summoned  to  attend  the  wedding 
of  Lieu  tenant- Colonel  Fred  D.  Grant,  eldest  son  of  General 
Grant,  to  the  lovely  Miss  Ida-Marie  Honore.  The  Honores  had 
a  beautiful  house  in  the  centre  of  South  Park  in  Chicago,  which 
was  surrounded  with  grand  old  trees  and  was  in  every  sense  a 
charming  summer  home.  It  was  ideal  in  its  interior  appoint 
ments.  Mrs.  Potter  Palmer  having  previously  lived  in  the 
house,  it  was  filled  with  statuary  and  other  articles  of  virtu, 
among  them  Miss  Hosmer's  "Puck,"  "The  Veiled  Cupid,"  or 
"Secret  7,"  "Love,"  by  Rossetti,  and  a  replica  of  Randolph 
Rogers's  exquisite  statue  of  "Nydia,  the  Blind  Girl  of  Pom 
peii."  The  ceremony  was  performed  by  Reverend  Mr.  Errett, 
of  the  Christian  Church,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Honore  being  members 
of  that  church.  Miss  Honore  was  attended  by  Miss  Levy, 
Miss  Rucker,  Miss  Houston,  and  Miss  Hall,  while  Lieu 
tenant-Colonel  Grant  was  attended  by  his  brother  Ulysses. 
The  bride  and  groom  left  that  afternoon  for  their  bridal  tour, 
Colonel  Grant  carrying  away  from  Chicago  one  of  its  most 
attractive  young  women. 


CHAPTER  XIV 

KING  KALAKAUA  IN  WASHINGTON  —  THE  CENTENNIAL  EXPOSITION 
AT  PHILADELPHIA  —  PUBLICATION  OF  GENERAL  SHERMAN'S 
"MEMOIRS"  -HIS  CRITICISMS  OF  LOGAN  AND  BLAIR  —  NEW 
YEAR'S  RECEPTION  AT  THE  WHITE  HOUSE  —  THE  WHISKEY- 
RING  SCANDALS  —  REPUBLICAN  CONVENTION  OF  1876  AT  CIN 
CINNATI  —  ELAINE'S  DEFEAT  AND  NOMINATION  OF  HAYES  AND 

WHEELER  —  THE  GRANGER  MOVEMENT  DEFEATS  GENERAL 
LOGAN  FOR  SENATOR  —  JUDGE  DAVID  DAVIS  —  THE  ELECTORAL 
COMMISSION  —  MARRIAGE  OF  OUR  DAUGHTER  —  MRS.  RUTHER 
FORD  B.  HAYES,  HER  ADMIRABLE  CHARACTER  AND  MANAGEMENT 
AS  MISTRESS  OF  THE  WHITE  HOUSE  —  REV.  DR.  J.  P.  NEWMAN 

GENERAL  SHERMAN'S  daughter  Minnie  was  married  October 
i,  1874.  Thus  three  important  weddings  had  taken  place  in 
the  families  of  General  Grant  and  General  Sherman — those 
of  Nellie  and  Fred  in  Grant's  family,  and  Minnie  in  Sherman's 
family. 

When  we  arrived  in  Washington  early  in  December  we 
found  that  Colonel  Fred  and  Mrs.  Grant  were  ensconced  in 
the  White  House,  and  were  to  spend  the  winter  with  the  Pres 
ident  and  Mrs.  Grant,  Colonel  Fred  being  on  duty  in  Wash 
ington.  The  presence  of  the  fascinating  Mrs.  Grant,  Jr., 
in  the  White  House,  and  the  promise  that  Nellie  would  soon 
return  for  a  visit  to  her  native  land,  were  a  guarantee  that 
Mrs.  Grant's  receptions  would  be  very  brilliant  during  the 
season.  In  fact,  the  society  season  began  December  i,  and 
promised  to  be  unusually  gay. 

King  David  Kalakaua  and  his  suite  arrived  December  12. 
Much  ado  was  made  over  the  fact  that  a  real  king  was  to 

349 


350  REMINISCENCES  OF 

visit  Washington.  As  I  remember  it,  Congress  made  an 
appropriation  of  twenty-five  thousand  dollars  for  the  enter 
tainment  of  His  Majesty  during  his  stay.  Secretary  Fish, 
Secretary  Belknap,  and  Secretary  Robeson  joined  the  com 
mittee  to  welcome  the  King  on  his  arrival.  He  was  escorted 
to  his  apartments  which  had  been  prepared  for  him  in  the 
Arlington  Hotel.  Unfortunately,  on  account  of  a  severe  cold 
which  he  had  contracted,  the  King  was  unable  to  carry  out 
part  of  the  programme  which  had  been  arranged  for  him, 
but  was  able  to  attend  the  theatre  to  hear  Clara  Louise  Kel 
logg  in  "Mignon."  He  displayed  his  gallantry  by  showering 
flowers  on  the  prima  donna.  In  appearance,  the  King  was  a 
fine  specimen  of  a  man.  He  was  very  tall,  broad-shouldered, 
with  a  dark-olive  complexion  and  very  black  hair  and  eyes. 
He  looked  more  of  a  king  than  he  was,  and  the  devotees  of 
titles  went  wild  over  this  dusky  sovereign.  President  Grant 
accorded  him  a  brilliant  reception  and  a  state  dinner.  The 
Japanese  minister  and  his  lovely  wife,  Madame  Yoshida, 
were  among  the  guests  who  were  invited  to  do  honor  to  the 
King.  A  more  magnificent  costume  was  never  worn  in  the 
White  House  than  that  of  Madame  Yoshida's.  The  material 
was  of  the  rarest  and  most  lustrous  kind,  and  the  gown  had 
been  made  in  the  fashion  of  a  full  Japanese  court  dress.  Mr. 
Yoshida,  of  course,  appeared  in  the  regulation  court  dress  of 
his  native  country.  King  Kalakaua  and  his  suite  appeared 
in  full-dress  evening  suits,  except  two  of  his  generals,  who  wore 
the  uniform  of  the  Hawaiian  Guards.  General  Logan  and  I 
attended  both  functions,  and  of  the  many  occasions  of  this 
character  at  which  I  have  been  present  at  the  White  House 
none  have  been  more  attractive  in  the  matter  of  appointments. 
Congress,  and  official  and  civilian  Washington  entitled  to 
invitations  to  such  affairs,  were  there  in  full  force,  the  ladies 
rivalling  each  other  in  the  splendor  of  their  costumes.  Very 
few  who  participated  in  the  attentions  to  King  Kalakaua 
anticipated  what  the  future  held  for  Hawaii,  or  that  the  King 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  351 

and  the  royal  family  were  doomed  to  close  their  imperial 
careers  in  a  few  brief  years. 

There  was  an  unusual  number  of  famous  people  in  Wash 
ington  that  year.  Many  of  the  houses,  especially  on  K 
Street,  were  occupied  by  persons  who  had  made  their  im 
press  on  the  history  of  their  country.  Alas!  the  majority  of 
them  have  passed  away,  and  their  places  have  not  been  filled 
by  persons  who  are  their  equals  in  extending  hospitality  and 
cordial  greetings.  There  was  much  excitement  over  the  ap 
proaching  centennial  exposition  in  Philadelphia.  Every  one 
was  busy  with  some  feature  which  was  to  be  used  to  add  to 
the  attractiveness  of  the  celebration  of  our  glorious  victories 
one  hundred  years  before.  Among  the  entertainments  which 
were  given  to  raise  money  was  a  centennial  tea  in  the  rotunda 
of  the  Capitol  on  December  16,  1875,  in  which  every  person 
at  all  prominent  in  society  took  a  very  active  part.  There 
were  thirteen  tables  to  represent  the  thirteen  original  States, 
and  it  was  gratifying  to  see  the  taste  and  the  strict  adherence 
to  the  custom  and  style  of  refreshments  of  Colonial  days. 
The  ladies  who  presided  over  these  tables  were  attired  in 
gowns  of  the  days  of  seventy-six,  many  of  the  dresses  belonging 
to  the  wardrobes  of  their  illustrious  ancestors.  The  tables 
of  North  and  South  Carolina  were  especially  attractive,  the 
ladies  who  presided  being  typical  of  their  native  State.  The 
beautiful  flowers  and  delicious  fruits  which  characterized  these 
States  were  in  abundance,  while  Maryland  and  many  of  the 
other  States  had  innumerable  revolutionary  relics  displayed. 
The  rotunda  was  decorated  as  never  before.  Boxes  of  tea  in 
imitation  of  the  Boston  Tea  Party  were  in  evidence.  Tea  was 
served  in  cups  marked  George  and  Martha  Washington. 
These  were  sold  at  one  dollar  apiece,  and  I  have  the  pleasure 
of  still  retaining  the  one  which  I  purchased.  Liberty  bells 
which  had  been  rung  in  those  historic  days  were  on  exhibi 
tion.  On  the  committee  of  arrangements  were  prominent 
army  and  navy  officers  and  officials  of  the  Government. 


352  REMINISCENCES  OF 

Senator  Hawley  of  Connecticut  and  Secretary  Robeson  made 
eloquent  addresses,  and  the  Marine  Band  discoursed  patriotic 
music  during  the  afternoon  and  evening. 

At  the  opening  of  the  exposition  General  Logan  attended 
with  the  congressional  committee,  who  were  handsomely  enter 
tained  by  the  commission  at  Horticultural  Hall.  In  August 
I  took  our  two  children  and  their  governess,  Miss  Parke,  to 
Philadelphia,  where  we  spent  two  weeks  in  seeing  everything 
of  interest  at  the  exposition  and  enjoyed  every  moment.  At 
the  time  I  had  not  visited  Europe,  as  I  have  done  many  times 
since,  and  therefore  there  were  to  me  very  many  novelties  and 
interesting  exhibits.  I  had  not  previously  appreciated  the 
advancement  of  my  own  country  and  was  delighted  to  find 
so  many  evidences  that  the  wheel  of  progress  had  been  busy 
developing  our  resources  and  bringing  to  our  land  the  fruits  of 
a  higher  civilization.  The  Centennial  Exposition  was  a  good 
thing  for  our  country.  If  it  did  nothing  else,  it  was  the  initia 
tive  in  the  opening  of  the  way  for  its  successors. 

During  the  winter  General  Sherman's  memoirs  appeared 
and  brought  forth  much  adverse  comment  from  various  quar 
ters,  on  account  of  the  fact  that  they  reflected  strongly  his 
natural  prejudices  and,  it  was  frankly  said,  unjust  criticism 
of  distinguished  officers  under  him  in  the  service.  He  was 
especially  severe  on  General  Logan  and  General  Frank  P. 
Blair,  two  volunteer  officers,  whom  he  characterized  as  "po 
litical  generals,"  notwithstanding  the  fact  that  they  had 
arisen  to  the  rank  of  major-general  by  their  military  skill 
in  handling  troops — many  times  in  independent  command 
— and  their  gallantry  on  the  field  of  battle.  While  he  had 
to  comment  favorably  upon  their  action  in  battle  and  their 
soldierly  conduct,  he  could  not  give  them  the  praise  they 
deserved  because  of  the  fact  that  they  were  not  gradu 
ates  of  the  military  academy  at  West  Point.  If  I  remember 
correctly,  Frank  Blair  died  without  Sherman  ever  having 
corrected  his  unfair  estimate  of  Blair's  military  career. 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  353 

In  the  case  of  General  Logan  it  was  different.  There  was 
an  additional  reason  for  Sherman's  criticism  of  General  Logan 
— on  account  of  the  fact  that  General  Logan  was  the  author  of 
the  bill  for  the  reduction  of  the  army  after  the  close  of  the  war, 
and  had  greatly  offended  Sherman  by  recommending  a  cut 
in  his  salary.  Although  Sherman  wrote  a  very  bitter  letter  to 
Congress  denouncing  the  bill,  the  majority  of  Congress  con 
sidered  that  its  provisions  were  just,  and  General  Sherman 
was  unable  to  prevent  its  passage.  This,  in  addition  to  the 
fact  that  General  Sherman  had  recommended  General  Howard 
to  supersede  General  Logan  in  command  of  the  Army  of  the 
Tennessee,  after  General  Logan  had  won  the  great  battle  at 
Atlanta,  and  after  Sherman  had  assured  Logan  that  he  should 
retain  the  command,  intensified  the  antagonistic  feeling  exist 
ing  between  General  Sherman  and  General  Logan.  General 
Logan,  however,  was  conscientious  in  the  preparation  of  the 
bill  and  had  not  taken  occasion  to  be  revenged  on  account 
of  General  Sherman's  unkind  treatment  of  him.  General 
Logan  was  entirely  vindicated  by  the  army,  and  was  restored 
to  the  command  of  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee.  He  had  no 
malice  toward  Sherman  about  the  matter,  because  he  felt 
that  it  all  came  from  the  prejudice  existing  against  a  man  not 
a  graduate  of  West  Point.  General  Logan  knew  he  had  never 
lost  a  battle,  or  in  any  way  failed  in  the  execution  of  orders 
issued  to  him  during  the  war,  more  than  which  could  not  be 
said  of  graduates  of  West  Point.  He  never  at  any  time  felt 
that  the  latter  had  much  the  advantage  over  faithful,  con 
scientious,  brave  volunteer  officers,  whose  patriotism  guided 
them  in  their  services  to  the  country.  General  Logan  be 
lieved  if  a  man  were  desperately  in  earnest  in  his  desire  to 
serve  his  country,  he  would  not  be  long  in  mastering  military 
tactics  and  in  fitting  himself  for  any  emergency  which  might 
arise.  There  is  no  doubt  at  all  that  General  Logan's  military 
genius  was  inborn.  General  Grant  was  lavish  in  his  praise 
of  him  as  a  soldier  and  commander,  and  would  undoubtedly 


354  REMINISCENCES  OF 

have  retained  him  as  commander  of  the  Army  of  the  Tennes 
see  had  he  (Grant)  been  in  command  of  the  Western  Army 
at  the  time.  It  was  a  source  of  gratification  that  the  scene 
at  the  Corkhill  Banquet,  described  in  the  earlier  pages  of  this 
autobiography,  was  enacted,  and  that  there  was  a  reconcilia 
tion  between  General  Logan  and  General  Sherman  before 
they  passed  to  that  land  from  which  no  one  returns. 

The  New  Year's  reception  of  January  i,  1875,  was  in 
many  respects  more  brilliant  than  any  previous  one.  The' 
New  Year's  reception  at  the  White  House  was  then,  as  now, 
the  signal  for  the  beginning  of  the  round  of  social  events 
for  the  winter.  Dinners,  luncheons,  receptions — official  and 
otherwise — were  the  rule.  In  January  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sartoris 
returned  and  took  up  their  abode  in  the  White  House,  greatly 
to  the  delight  of  Mrs.  Grant,  who  now  had  her  daughter  and 
Mrs.  Fred  Grant  to  assist  in  the  discharge  of  her  social  duties. 
Her  Saturday  afternoons  were  especially  attractive  and,  she 
often  told  me  afterward,  were  really  the  most  enjoyable  social 
functions  that  were  held  in  the  executive  mansion.  Persons 
came  in  so  informally  and  received  such  a  cordial  welcome 
that  they  were  at  once  made  to  feel  it  a  privilege  to  pay 
their  respects  to  the  occupants  of  the  White  House.  People 
wandered  about  through  the  red  room,  blue  room,  green 
room,  east  room,  and  the  beautiful  conservatories  then  at  the 
west  end  of  the  corridor,  and  the  state  dining-room.  Mrs. 
Grant  seemed  very  happy  when  she  had  Nellie  standing  be 
side  her.  Nellie  had  not  contracted  any  European  airs,  but 
stood  beside  her  mother  the  same  unpretentious,  lovely,  girlish 
woman  whom  everybody  was  delighted  to  welcome  back  to 
Washington.  Perhaps  it  is  a  matter  of  prejudice,  but  it 
seems  as  if  the  representative  ladies  in  Washington  in  those 
days  were  far  more  attractive  than  the  majority  we  meet 
now.  I  have  sometimes  thought  that  the  frequent  inter 
course  with  Europe  and  the  contracting  of  the  habits  of  cock 
tail-drinking  and  cigarette-smoking  have  affected  the  cor- 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  355 

diality  and  simplicity  of  the  manners  of  American  women.  I 
can  remember  when  the  suggestion  was  made  that  the  ladies 
of  the  White  House  and  the  wives  of  members  of  the  cabinet 
and  other  officials  should  not  shake  hands  with  their  callers 
because  it  was  supposed  to  be  a  matter  of  too  much  fatigue. 
I  confess  that  the  custom  which  causes  a  hostess  to  stand 
erect  with  a  bouquet  in  her  right  hand  and  a  fan  or  something 
in  her  left,  which  prevents  her  from  extending  a  more  cor 
dial  greeting  than  a  stiff  bow  to  her  callers,  is  not  calculated 
to  put  people  at  their  ease  or  make  them  feel  that  their  calls 
are  appreciated.  There  never  was  any  reason  why  Americans 
should  ape  the  airs  and  stiffness  of  any  European  court.  We 
welcome  to  our  shores  people  from  all  lands  and  extend  to 
them  the  privileges  of  life,  liberty,  and  the  pursuit  of  happiness: 
and  why  we  should  erect  a  barrier  against  those  of  our  kind 
whom  we  recognize  as  fitting  persons  to  be  invited  across  our 
thresholds  is  an  incomprehensible  question,  which  has  not 
been  satisfactorily  answered.  Cordiality  and  hospitality  are 
supposed  to  be  the  chief  characteristics  of  Americans,  and  I 
regret  to  see  any  departure  from  the  customs  and  manners 
which  have  ever  been  the  charm  of  our  people.  Of  all  women 
in  the  world,  American  women  should  be  considered  the  most 
sincere  and  attractive  as  hostesses. 

Every  year  it  seems  that  attractive  features  of  society  grow 
fewer  and  fewer.  Horatio  King,  John  J.  Nicolay,  and  Mrs. 
Dahlgren  formerly  had  regular  evenings  in  their  homes,  when 
musical  programmes  were  rendered,  impromptu  papers  read, 
and  lectures  delivered  by  able  persons,  among  them  General 
Garfield,  General  Logan,  Librarian  Spofford,  Senator  Ingalls, 
Jean  Davenport  Lander,  and  a  daughter  of  Mrs.  Scott 
Siddons,  then  a  resident  of  Washington.  Readings  and  reci 
tations  from  Shakespeare  and  other  classics  were  given,  much 
to  the  enjoyment  of  the  persons  fortunate  enough  to  be  in 
vited  to  these  literary  gatherings.  The  Schiller  Bund  gave 
delightful  entertainments,  when  lectures  were  given,  and  the 


356  REMINISCENCES  OF 

programme  usually  closed  with  amateur  theatricals.  Miss 
Edith  Fish  and  Miss  Nannie  Jeffreys  figured  prominently  in 
these  plays.  Miss  Jeffreys  won  an  enviable  reputation  as  an 
amateur  actress  in  her  part  in  "Meg's  Diversion." 

When  we  came  to  Washington,  early  in  December,  General 
Logan  was  just  recovering  from  a  very  serious  attack  of  ill 
ness.  He  had  been  a  victim  of  inflammatory  rheumatism 
contracted  at  Fort  Donelson  and,  after  a  political  campaign, 
frequently  was  confined  to  his  bed  for  weeks.  The  opening 
day  of  Congress  the  galleries  of  both  houses  were  packed. 
Sir  Edward  and  Lady  Thornton  and  Hon.  William  M.  Evarts 
were  in  the  diplomatic  gallery,  as  were  also  Mrs.  Grant  and 
Mrs.  Fish.  The  people  of  the  whole  country  were  very  much 
interested  in  the  proceedings  in  Congress,  as  it  was  known 
that  the  matter  of  the  reconstruction  of  the  Southern  States 
was  still  at  white  heat,  and  it  was  supposed  that  the  Louisiana 
question  would  furnish  food  for  many  an  exciting  contro 
versy  in  the  Senate. 

Mr.  Pinchback  had  been  elected  United  States  senator  from 
Louisiana,  and  was  bitterly  opposed  because  of  the  fact  that 
it  was  said  he  had  colored  blood  in  his  veins.  Every  day  some 
member  of  the  House  or  Senate  was  heard  in  denunciation  of 
the  privileges  and  protection  extended  to  the  colored  men  in 
the  South.  There  were  outbreaks  of  Indians  in  the  West, 
and  a  serious  controversy  arose  over  the  Black  Hills  Reserva 
tion,  as  gold  had  been  discovered  there,  and  the  Indians  sternly 
opposed  the  influx  of  gold-seekers  into  their  domain. 

There  were  constant  charges  and  countercharges  of  corrup 
tion  and  defalcations  of  officials,  the  Whiskey  Ring  figuring 
conspicuously  at  this  time.  Charges  of  membership  in  the 
Whiskey  Ring  were  made  against  persons  in  official  positions 
under  the  very  roof  of  the  White  House.  Grant  himself  did 
not  escape  the  insinuations  on  the  part  of  these  marplots 
that  he,  if  not  a  member  of  the  ring,  was  cognizant  of  the 
connection  of  those  intimately  associated  with  him;  and  his 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  357 

accusers  went  so  far  in  their  persecution  as  to  make  it  neces 
sary  for  General  Babcock  to  demand  an  investigation  of  his 
conduct.  He  was,  of  course,  exonerated,  but  the  authors  of 
these  charges  had  accomplished  their  purpose  of  throwing 
discredit  upon  the  administration.  Men  in  the  Republican 
party  who  advocated  the  election  of  Mr.  Elaine,  and  other 
prominent  men,  took  an  active  part  in  the  warfare  upon  the 
integrity  of  the  appointees  of  General  Grant.  The  political 
campaign  of  1876  may  be  said  to  have  begun  in  1875,  since 
long  before  the  holding  of  the  convention  for  the  election  of 
delegates  to  the  national  convention,  to  be  held  at  Cincinnati, 
the  champions  of  candidates  had  exhausted  much  of  their 
ammunition  in  trying  to  kill  off  the  rivals  of  men  whose  cause 
they  advocated.  Men  opposed  to  Mr.  Elaine  retaliated  by 
making  grave  charges  as  to  his  connection  with  various  ques 
tionable  schemes.  Elaine's  reading  of  the  Mulligan  letters 
on  the  floor  of  the  House  of  Representatives  is  perhaps  the 
most  remarkable  incident  of  a  personal  explanation  that  has 
ever  occurred  in  Congress.  Subsequently  Nast's  caricature, 
appearing  originally  in  a  New  York  paper,  showing  Mr. 
Elaine  as  the  "Tatooed  Man,"  was  without  exception  the 
most  cruel  persecution  ever  inflicted  upon  a  public  man. 

There  were  innumerable  resignations  of  men  holding  high 
positions  by  appointment.  Some  resigned  from  disgust  and 
some  to  avoid  the  humiliation  of  investigations.  Senators 
whose  term  expired  March  4,  1877,  were  much  concerned,  as 
candidates  for  the  members  of  the  legislature  would  be  elected 
on  the  ticket  that  would  be  nominated  in  1876.  Hence  they 
had  not  only  to  be  on  the  lookout  in  the  interest  of  the  can 
didates  for  the  Presidency  and  Vice-Presidency,  but  had  to 
watch  every  movement,  politically,  in  their  home  States,  to 
be  sure  that  their  party  was  successful. 

The  national  convention  was  held  in  Cincinnati  in  June, 
1876,  and  it  was  thought  that  Elaine,  notwithstanding  the 
intense  abuse  heaped  upon  him,  had  a  majority.  The  con- 


358  REMINISCENCES  OF 

vention  was  very  largely  attended  by  legions  of  Republi 
cans  who  were  not  delegates,  but  who  had  gone  there  for  the 
purpose  of  advocating  or  opposing  Elaine's  election.  General 
Granville  M.  Dodge  recently  explained  how  Elaine's  defeat 
was  really  brought  about.  He  was  a  Elaine  delegate  in  the 
convention  and  strongly  advocated  the  election  of  Hon. 
James  F.  Wilson,  of  Iowa,  as  permanent  chairman.  Mr. 
Wilson  was  one  of  the  ablest  and  most  experienced  statesmen 
of  the  nation.  Don  Cameron  wanted  McPherson,  of  Pennsyl 
vania,  then  clerk  of  the  House  of  Representatives  and  com 
piler  of  the  "Political  Hand  Book  of  the  Republican  Party." 
Dodge  worked  very  hard  for  Wilson  and  thought  his  election 
was  agreed  upon.  He  retired  to  get  a  few  hours'  sleep  and 
rest,  during  which  time  the  opponents  of  Wilson  succeeded 
in  electing  McPherson  as  permanent  chairman.  This  was 
the  beginning  of  the  blunders  that  led  to  Elaine's  Waterloo. 
McPherson,  as  Dodge  had  suspected,  was  unequal  to  the 
position.  He  was  too  unsuspecting  for  the  wily  politicians 
who  were  inimical  to  Elaine,  and  at  a  critical  moment  enter 
tained  a  motion  to  adjourn,  which  was  followed  by  boisterous 
commotion  and  confusion,  intensified  by  the  trick  of  turning 
off  the  gas  and  enshrouding  the  hall  in  total  darkness.  Cau 
cusing  was  the  rule  during  the  hours  between  the  fatal  ad 
journment  and  the  meeting  of  the  convention  the  following 
morning.  No  sleep  was  allowed  to  jeopardize  the  schemes  of 
the  anti-Elaine  delegates,  which  culminated  in  nominating 
Rutherford  B.  Hayes,  of  Ohio,  for  President,  and  William  A. 
Wheeler,  of  New  York,  for  Vice-President.  Mr.  Hayes  was 
the  weakest  man,  save  one,  ever  elected  to  the  Presidency. 
His  associate  on  the  ticket,  Mr.  Wheeler,  was  really  a  non 
entity. 

It  would  not  have  been  possible  to  have  nominated  two 
more  non-committal,  conservative  men.  They  were  the  very 
antipodes  of  the  candidates  prominent  before  the  convention 
met.  They  were  the  usual  types  of  compromise  candidates, 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  359 

and  brought  no  strength  to  the  ticket.  As  a  matter  of  fact, 
no  one  anxious  for  the  success  of  the  party  wanted  either  of 
them. 

The  whole  campaign  of  1876  was  characterized  by  the  most 
virulent  abuse  of  the  candidates,  active  persons  of  both  par 
ties  striving  with  each  other  in  making  charges  of  fraud,  irreg 
ularities,  and  malfeasance  on  the  part  of  officials  and  mem 
bers  of  their  respective  parties.  Nominees  on  the  tickets  for 
the  various  offices  from  President  down  were  anxious  as  to 
the  results.  In  addition,  reformers  were  busy  advocating  all 
kinds  of  isms  and  theories.  The  hapless  farmers,  the  in 
evitable  prey  of  political  demagogues,  came  in  for  unusual 
attentions.  They  were  persuaded  that  they  were  the  victims 
of  merciless  injustice;  that  their  only  hope  for  relief  was 
through  the  election  of  reformers  to  the  house  and  senate  of 
the  legislatures  of  the  States  most  interested  in  agriculture. 
Illinois,  the  great  " Prairie  State,"  was  completely  overrun  by 
"  Grangers,"  who  were  posing  as  the  farmers'  special  friends. 
They  declared,  if  they  were  put  in  power  they  would  readjust 
the  management  of  the  railroads  and  secure  a  change  in  the 
freight  schedules,  so  that  the  products  of  the  farm  could  be 
set  down  at  the  great  market  points  for  half  the  rate  then  in 
existence.  They  would,  in  fact,  procure  high  prices  for  every 
commodity  the  agriculturist  had  to  sell.  A  majority  of  the 
Republican  county  conventions  had  instructed  their  nominees 
for  the  house  and  senate  of  the  Illinois  legislature  for  General 
Logan  for  re-election  to  the  United  States  Senate,  which 
event  was  dependent  upon  the  election  of  these  instructed 
candidates.  Hence  the  campaign  had  scarcely  begun  when 
importunities  came  from  every  quarter  urging  General  Logan 
to  visit  almost  every  county  in  the  State  to  speak  in  behalf 
of  the  election  of  the  candidates  instructed  for  him.  Congress 
was  in  session  for  some  time  after  the  adjournment  of  the 
Republican  national  convention. 

Loyal  and  far-seeing  Republicans  realized  the  full  force  of 


360  REMINISCENCES  OF 

the  mistake  the  national  convention  had  made,  but  there  was 
no  alternative  but  to  make  the  best  of  it,  and  if  possible  elect 
Hayes  and  Wheeler.  Strangely  enough,  it  was  during  this 
campaign  that  the  Democratic  party,  while  boasting  of  Jeffer- 
sonian  simplicity,  began  to  intimate  that  Mr.  Tilden's  "  bar 
rels  of  money  would  enable  them  to  win  a  Democratic  victory 
all  over  the  United  States."  They  claimed  that  the  solid 
South,  supplemented  by  the  influence  of  money,  would  put 
their  party  in  power — nationally  and  locally.  When  the  elec 
tion  returns  were  in  the  people  were  amazed  to  find  that  their 
predictions  had  come  so  near  being  true.  The  election  of 
President  and  Vice-President  was  in  controversy  and  had  to 
be  finally  settled  by  the  famous  Electoral  Commission,  under 
a  special  act  to  provide  for  the  settlement  of  the  important 
question  as  to  who  had  been  elected  President  and  Vice- 
President  in  1876.  Republican  majorities  had  fallen  off  every 
where.  In  Illinois  the  political  complexion  of  the  legislature 
was  in  doubt,  depending  largely  upon  the  party — Republican 
or  Democratic — with  which  the  " Prohibitionists,"  "Gran 
gers,"  "  Reformers,"  and  "  Independents  "  would  co-operate. 
It  would  be  difficult  to  imagine  with  what  disgust  General 
Logan  confronted  the  situation  in  the  legislature  when  he 
found  that  old  farmers,  who  were  supposed  to  be  the  soul  of 
honor  and  integrity,  and  had  been  for  years  enthusiastic  sup 
porters  of  himself,  had  been  changed  by  some  surreptitious 
influence.  While  they  claimed  to  be  undecided  as  to  whom 
they  would  support  for  the  Senate,  nothing  could  induce  them 
to  commit  themselves  to  General  Logan.  Upon  investiga 
tion  later  it  was  found  that  these  men  had  received  from  three 
,  to  five  thousand  dollars  each,  with  which  to  lift  the  mortgages 
off  their  farms,  from  their  Granger  friends,  who  had  been 
using  the  money  of  ambitious  aspirants  to  the  Senate.  So 
trustful  was  General  Logan  that  it  was  some  time  before  he 
could  really  credit  the  indubitable  evidence  that  was  laid  be 
fore  him  of  the  dishonesty  and  duplicity  of  these  old  friends. 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  361 

The  designing  political  jugglers  had  skilfully  bought  up  just 
enough  of  the  senators  and  members  of  the  house  to  prevent 
General  Logan  from  having  a  majority  in  either.  The  legis 
lature  had  not  long  been  in  session  when  it  was  found  that  a 
part  of  the  scheme  was  to  defeat  General  Logan  by  the  elec 
tion  of  Hon.  David  Davis  as  Associate  Justice  of  the  United 
States  Supreme  Court  to  prevent  him  from  being  chosen 
on  the  Electoral  Commission.  Somebody's  barrel  accom 
plished  the  purpose  of  defeating  General  Logan  for  re-election 
and  put  David  Davis  in  the  Senate  in  his  place.  Mr.  Davis 
regretted  this  as  seriously  as  any  one  else,  and  did  not  hesi 
tate  to  maintain  that  both  he  and  General  Logan  had  been 
sacrificed  to  the  stupendous  scheme  of  political  demagogues. 
For  weeks  the  election  of  the  United  States  senator  from 
Illinois  was  in  doubt.  The  action  of  the  legislature  was  so 
uncertain  because  of  the  instability  and  lack  of  integrity  on 
the  part  of  members  of  both  houses.  This  may  be  said  to 
have  been  the  beginning  of  the  political  demoralization  of  the 
great  State  of  Illinois,  and  was,  perhaps,  the  first  instance  of 
the  flagrant  use  of  money  to  influence  the  action  of  the  legis 
lature  in  the  election  of  a  United  States  senator.  I  was  with 
General  Logan  at  Springfield,  and  shall  not  forget  to  my  dying 
day  the  deep  humiliation  and  suffering  which  he  experienced 
as  day  after  day  he  discovered  fresh  evidences  of  the  duplicity 
of  men  whom  he  had  trusted  in  war  and  in  peace.  He  felt 
that  he  had  served  his  State  honorably  and  acceptably  from 
the  day  he  took  the  oath  of  office  as  a  member  of  the  Illinois 
legislature  in  1856,  through  all  the  trying  years  of  the  war,  to 
that  hour.  Believing  as  he  did  that  the  people  approved  of 
everything  he  had  done,  and  desired  to  reward  him  by  a  re 
election  to  the  United  States  Senate,  he  could  not  bear  to 
think  that  their  will  was  being  thwarted  by  the  use  of  money, 
a  force  which  it  was  impossible  for  him  to  combat. 

I  hope  it  will  not  be  considered  indelicate  to  say  that  these 
reverses  came  at  the  most  unfortunate  time  in  our  whole  lives. 


362  REMINISCENCES  OF 

General  Logan  devoted  every  hour  of  his  life  and  time  to  the 
discharge  of  his  public  duties,  and  therefore  was  obliged  to 
neglect  opportunities  for  money-making.  It  will  be  remem 
bered  that  the  salary  of  a  United  States  senator  was  at  that 
time  only  five  thousand  dollars  a  year.  We  had  lived  very 
prudently  in  inhospitable  boarding-houses,  and  in  many  ways 
practised  self-denial  and  economy.  But  the  unavoidable  de 
mands  that  have  always  been  made  upon  public  men,  for 
political  and  other  purposes,  including  requests  by  individuals 
to  whom  public  men  consider  themselves  under  obligations, 
for  the  indorsement  of  their  notes  for  financial  responsibilities 
— nine  times  out  of  ten  the  indorser  having  to  pay  these  notes 
— all  these  things  made  accumulation  almost  impossible  for 
a  United  States  senator.  General  Logan,  like  many  others, 
had  encroached  upon  the  savings  of  years  to  meet  these  vari 
ous  demands,  and  was  at  a  loss  to  know  just  what  he  should 
do  at  the  expiration  of  his  term,  March  4,  1877. 

Prior  to  that  time  the  Electoral  Commission  had  declared 
Hayes  and  Wheeler  elected  President  and  Vice-President,  and 
every  one  supposed  that  General  Logan  would  be  offered  some 
position  within  the  gift  of  the  President.  He  received  no 
such  consideration,  notwithstanding  the  fact  that  some  of  his 
friends  had  gone  to  the  President  and  explained  to  him  Gen 
eral  Logan's  necessities.  We  were  both  too  proud  to  make 
any  sign.  After  March  4  we  went  home  to  Chicago  and 
finally  solved  the  problem  of  what  we  should  do.  We  had 
some  land  in  southern  Illinois  which  we  were  quite  sure  we 
could  utilize  in  the  payment  of  notes  which  were  coming  due 
in  June.  The  general  was  too  sensitive  to  go  back  to  southern 
Illinois  and  make  an  appeal  to  his  old  friends  for  an  extension 
of  time,  or  to  have  them  think  that  he  was  in  the  least  dis 
couraged  by  the  temporary  dislodgement  from  his  seat  in  the 
Senate.  I  insisted  that  we  had  lived  a  long  time  before  he  was 
a  senator,  and  that  I  was  quite  sure  that  we  could  manage 
in  some  way.  I  begged  him  to  let  me  go  down  to  southern 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  363 

Illinois  and  dispose  of  some  lands  which  we  had  owned  for 
years.  With  great  reluctance  he  agreed  to  let  me  try  to  see 
what  I  could  do.  When  I  arrived  in  Carbondale  I  was  re 
ceived  with  so  many  manifestations  of  genuine  friendship  and 
interest  in  our  welfare  that  I  felt  no  hesitancy  in  going  to 
the  substantial  men  who  I  thought  wanted  the  property  and 
could  afford  to  buy  the  land  which  we  had  to  sell.  Memory 
will  forever  retain  the  tenderness  with  which  these  dear  old 
men  responded  to  my  request  that  they  buy  this  land  and 
relieve  our  embarrassment.  They  gave  me  exactly  what  I 
asked  for  the  property  and  said  that  they  were  ready  to  carry 
for  an  indefinite  length  of  time  any  notes  which  General 
Logan  had  given,  and  would  give  him  cash  for  his  land  beside. 
I  could  only  express  my  gratitude  by  tears  which  they  hastened 
to  wipe  away,  and  to  say:  "Be  cheerful  and  happy.  Your 
discomfiture  is  only  a  brief  affair.  Two  years  hence  we  will 
send  him  back  to  the  Senate  or  die  in  the  attempt." 

General  Logan  had  not  quite  forgotten  the  law  which  he 
knew  so  well  before  he  took  up  his  sword  in  the  defence  of  his 
country.  In  the  great  State  of  Illinois  there  were  grand  men 
who  knew  what  he  had  done.  They  came  to  him  to  place  in 
his  hands  large  legitimate  claims  which  they  wished  him  to 
collect,  and  he  was  soon  happy  in  the  possession  of  fees  larger 
than  his  salary  as  a  United  States  senator.  As  I  look  back 
upon  it  I  feel  that  the  two  years  intervening  before  he  was 
again  elected  to  the  Senate  were  by  no  means  the  most  un 
happy  years  of  our  lives,  and  I  am  not  quite  sure  but  that, 
had  he  refrained  from  again  taking  an  active  part  in  politics, 
we  should  have  been  better  off  financially,  and  perhaps  the 
days  of  his  life  might  have  been  multiplied. 

After  General  Logan  became  accustomed  to  being  out  of  the 
treadmill  routine  and  daily  drudgery  to  which  members  of 
both  houses  of  Congress  are  accustomed,  he  really  enjoyed 
his  freedom.  He  was  not  permitted,  however,  to  remain 
long  out  of  the  political  arena.  Every  day  he  received  some 


364  REMINISCENCES  OF 

communication  from  friends  all  over  the  country,  urging  him 
not  to  forswear  politics;  that  there  was  much  for  him  to  do 
for  his  party  and  country  that  no  other  man  could  do.  He 
employed  his  time  in  gathering  up  the  threads  of  his  private 
business  affairs  and  in  preparing  to  go  to  Washington  in  the 
winter  of  1877-8  for  some  clients  who  had  engaged  his  services 
as  attorney. 

November  27,  1877,  on  the  twenty-second  anniversary  of 
our  marriage,  our  only  daughter  was  married  to  William  F. 
Tucker  of  Chicago.  Could  we  have  known  the  sequel  of  this 
unfortunate  alliance,  General  Logan  and  I  would  have  suffered 
more  keenly  than  we  did  in  giving  our  only  daughter  into  the 
hands  of  any  man's  keeping,  as  no  one  could  have  seemingly 
been  more  eligible  for  a  trust  so  sacred  than  W.  F.  Tucker. 
It  was  arranged  that  our  son,  John  A.  Logan,  Jr.,  then  twelve 
years  of  age,  should  return  to  the  Morgan  Park  Military  Acad 
emy  and  that  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Tucker  were  to  remain  in  our 
Chicago  home,  while  I  was  to  accompany  General  Logan  to 
Washington. 

We  returned  to  Mrs.  Rhine's  boarding-house,  812  Twelfth 
Street,  and  were  soon  ensconced  in  our  old  quarters.  Mrs. 
Edmund  Miller,  of  Waterloo,  Iowa,  a  cousin  of  the  general's, 
was  with  us.  Her  husband  had  died,  and  she  decided  to  join 
us  for  the  winter.  In  reading  over  a  diary  kept  that  winter, 
I  think  it  was  perhaps  one  of  the  happiest  we  ever  spent  in 
Washington.  Mrs.  Rhine's  boarding-house  was  composed  of 
three  private  houses,  810-812-814  Twelfth  Street,  Northwest, 
and  was  one  of  the  best  of  the  old-time  hostelries,  having  been 
the  home  of  more  prominent  people  than  any  other  in  Washing 
ton.  Mrs.  Mary  S.  Lockwood  and  Miss  Ricksford  were  Mrs. 
Rhine's  successors,  and  continued  the  establishment  long  after 
we  moved  away.  General  Logan  was  not  at  the  beck  and  call 
of  every  one  who  needed  a  friend  to  intercede  for  him  at  the 
departments.  His  numerous  constituents  who  had  formerly 
deluged  him  with  their  correspondence  requesting  everything 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  365 

trom  commissions  from  the  State  Department  to  seeds,  plants, 
reports,  and  bulletins  from  the  Department  of  Agriculture, 
realizing  that  he  was  an  "ex,"  turned  to  his  successor  with 
indifferent  success,  that  venerable  ex-Associate  Justice  of  the 
Supreme  Court  being  disinclined  to  activities  as  an  errand 
boy  for  his  constituents. 

We  had  many  invitations  for  dinners  and  receptions.  Mrs. 
Hayes  sent  me  flowers  and  invited  us  to  dine  at  state  and 
informal  dinners.  She  has  had  no  superior  and  few  equals 
as  mistress  of  the  White  House.  An  unprejudiced,  truthful 
historian  would  doubtless  place  the  name  of  Lucy  Webb 
Hayes  at  the  head  of  the  list  of  women  who  were  most  emi 
nently  qualified  by  nature  and  acquirement  for  the  position 
of  mistress  of  the  White  House.  She  was  probably  the  only 
rival  of  the  fame  of  Abigail  Adams,  the  wife  of  John  Adams, 
second  President  of  the  United  States.  Mrs.  Adams's  intel 
lect,  dauntless  courage,  and  devoutly  religious  character  may  be 
said  to  have  been  repeated  in  the  person  of  Lucy  Webb  Hayes. 

Mrs.  Hayes  was  born  in  Chillicothe,  then  the  capital  of 
Ohio.  Her  father,  Doctor  James  Webb,  was  an  eminent  prac 
titioner  and  very  prominent  in  public  affairs.  He  was  an 
ardent  Republican,  after  liberating  the  slaves  which  came  to 
him  through  his  North  Carolinian  ancestry.  Mrs.  Webb,  her 
mother,  was  a  remarkable  woman,  devoutly  religious  in  char 
acter,  and  wonderfully  well-informed  for  the  epoch  in  which 
she  lived.  From  her  Mrs.  Hayes  inherited  the  best  Puritan 
blood  of  New  England.  Being  left  a  widow  when  her  family 
was  young,  she  removed  to  Delaware,  Ohio,  to  be  near  the 
Wesleyan  University,  so  that  her  children  might  be  educated. 
Her  sons  were  good  students.  Lucy,  the  only  daughter, 
would  not  be  outdone  by  her  brothers.  She  therefore  studied 
with  them,  and  was  tutored  by  the  instructors  of  the  college 
until  prepared  for  the  Wesleyan  Female  College,  of  Cincinnati, 
entering  that  institution  at  the  same  time  her  brothers  began 
their  studies  in  the  Medical  College  of  that  city.  She  gradu 
ated  from  the  Wesleyan  Female  College  with  high  honors. 


366  REMINISCENCES  OF 

To  her  mother  she  gave  all  the  credit  for  her  splendid  prepara 
tion  for  the  sphere  she  was  destined  to  fill.  She  possessed  a  rare 
mind,  and  wonderful  mental  and  physical  strength.  She  was 
of  medium  height,  her  complexion  was  a  clear  olive,  and  her 
abundant  dark  hair  was  always  combed  smoothly  over  her 
ears  and  wound  into  a  coil  quite  low  on  the  back  of  her  head, 
and  held  in  place  by  a  beautiful  comb.  Her  glorious  eyes  were 
indescribable  in  their  color  and  expression,  ever  reflecting  the 
bright  spirits  which  animated  her  whole  soul.  Her  face 
beamed  with  intelligence  and  happiness,  and  I  am  quite  sure 
no  one  ever  detected  the  slightest  care,  impatience,  or  un 
pleasantness  in  her  countenance,  as  it  was  always  full  of  tender 
ness  and  good  humor.  Her  winsome  manners,  sunny  tempera 
ment,  and  cordial  greetings  vanquished  all  fear  of  the  timid, 
and  made  them  feel  that  they  could  tell  her  all  their  woes  and 
be  assured  of  sympathy. 

Her  inheritance  and  training  seemed  especially  to  fit  her 
for  the  position  she  was  to  fill.  Her  mother's  example,  care, 
and  determination  that  her  daughter  should  be  educated 
beyond  what  was  then  thought  necessary  for  girls;  the  excel 
lent  opportunities  she  had  in  the  Female  College  at  Cincinnati, 
under  the  guidance  and  tutelage  of  Reverend  and  Mrs.  P.  B. 
Wilbur,  pioneer  advocates  of  higher  education  of  women  in 
the  West,  developed  her  superior  executive  ability  and  well- 
balanced  character.  Mrs.  Hayes  met  her  husband  when  she 
was  a  student  in  college  at  the  Wesleyan,  and  they  were  mar 
ried  soon  after  they  had  both  been  graduated  from  their 
respective  colleges.  Their  marriage  proved  to  be  one  that 
must  have  been  made  in  heaven,  if  one  may  judge  by  its  per 
fect  happiness.  Mrs.  Hayes,  as  all  true  wives  should,  imme 
diately  devoted  herself  to  everything  which  tended  to  advance 
the  interests  of  her  husband.  She  had  absolute  faith  in  his 
destiny,  and  unbounded  confidence  in  his  ability  to  climb  to 
the  topmost  rung  of  the  ladder  of  fortune  and  fame.  He  had 
begun  the  ascent  when  the  nation  was  startled  by  a  call  to 
arms  of  her  loyal  sons.  Rutherford  B.  Hayes  could  not  turn 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  367 

a  deaf  ear  to  that  call.  He  helped  to  raise  the  23d  Ohio  Vol 
unteer  Infantry,  of  which  General  Rosecrans  was  colonel, 
and  the  late  Associate  Justice  Stanley  Matthews,  was  lieu 
tenant-colonel,  going  himself  as  major  of  that  regiment. 
During  the  trying  years  of  the  varying  fortunes  of  the  Army 
of  the  Potomac,  in  which  the  23d  served,  Mrs.  Hayes  was  a 
frequent  visitor  to  her  husband  in  the  field.  At  South  Moun 
tain  Major  Hayes  was  badly  wounded.  Mrs.  Hayes  appeared 
soon  afterward  to  nurse  him  and  many  others  back  to  health. 
When  in  camp,  and  it  was  possible  to  leave  her  husband,  she 
spent  her  time  in  ministering  to  the  Union  and  Confederate 
sick  and  wounded.  One  might  write  a  long  story  of  the  never- 
failing  devotion  of  these  men  to  this  noble  woman. 

Colonel  Hayes  left  the  field  a  brigadier-general,  promoted  for 
gallantry  on  the  field  of  battle,  to  become  a  member  of  Congress. 
After  several  years'  service  in  that  body  he  was  chosen  governor 
of  Ohio.  From  this  position  he  was  elected  President  of  the 
United  States.  President  Hayes  always  accorded  Mrs.  Hayes 
a  full  measure  of  credit  for  his  phenomenal  advancement  to 
the  highest  position  within  the  gift  of  the  people.  Her  un 
selfish  devotion  to  the  unfortunate,  her  unceasing  labors  for 
the  enlargement  of  the  charities  of  Ohio,  her  arduous  labors 
in  church  work,  her  womanly  and  wifely  interest  in  her  home 
and  her  husband,  brought  her  a  rich  reward  in  the  realiza 
tion  of  all  her  hopes  and  aspirations.  Hence,  when  she  came 
to  be  installed  as  mistress  of  the  White  House,  she  was  well 
equipped  by  nature,  training,  cultivation,  and  unusual  knowl 
edge  and  long  experience  in  official  life  for  anything  which 
might  arise.  The  sphere  in  which  she  had  always  moved  had 
only  been  enlarged. 

Her  first  appearance  was  eagerly  awaited  by  the  denizens 
of  Washington  and  official  representatives  from  all  over  the 
world.  They  sought  to  criticise,  but  went  away  admiring 
and  praising  this  gifted,  accomplished  woman.  The  word 
was  passed  from  mouth  to  mouth:  "Mrs.  Hayes  is  lovely." 
She  was  so  radiantlv  happv  herself  that  her  eav  spirits  became 


368  REMINISCENCES  OF 

infectious.  She  began  her  reign  by  giving  an  afternoon  re 
ception  on  a  Saturday,  soon  after  the  inauguration,  to  which 
every  one  entitled  to  be  received  was  invited.  She  had  flowers 
and  music  and  everything  as  elaborate  as  for  an  evening  social 
function.  Every  one  was  charmed  by  the  warmth  of  her 
greetings,  which  made  them  feel  that  she  at  least  was  destined 
to  do  her  part  toward  making  the  new  administration  socially 
a  success.  Following  this  afternoon  reception  was  a  state 
dinner,  given  to  the  Russian  Grand  Dukes,  Alexis  and  Con- 
stantine,  to  which  were  bidden  diplomats,  judges,  senators, 
representatives,  and  many  other  distinguished  persons,  with 
their  wives,  including  ourselves.  The  decorations  of  the 
house  and  table  and  everything  connected  with  the  magnifi 
cent  entertainment  were  directed  by  Mrs.  Hayes  in  person. 
Her  triumph  on  this  occasion  convinced  the  critics  that  she 
was  not  a  novice  in  social  affairs  of  state. 

Mrs.  Hayes  was  much  criticised  by  a  certain  class  for  the 
stand  she  took  in  banishing  wine  from  the  White  House  table, 
but  even  her  severest  critics  have  since  come  to  laud  and 
magnify  her  name  for  the  wisdom  and  Christian  firmness  she 
displayed.  She  never  discussed  the  question  with  the  numer 
ous  officious  and  intrusive  persons  who  are  ever  eager  to  talk, 
and  especially  with  authors  of  innovations.  She  said  to  one 
friend:  "Regarding  the  question  of  wine,  it  is  true  that  I  shall 
violate  a  precedent,  but  I  shall  not  violate  the  Constitution, 
which  is  all  that,  through  my  husband,  I  have  taken  the  oath 
to  obey."  To  another  she  spoke  of  her  sons  and  of  her  hesi 
tancy  in  putting  the  wine  before  them,  when  it  was  in  viola 
tion  of  her  principles.  She  felt  strongly  her  duty,  and  had  the 
grace  and  courage  to  do  it.  From  one  of  her  addresses  before 
the  Home  Missionary  Society,  of  which  she  was  an  honored 
and  useful  member,  I  copy  an  extract,  which  was  probably 
the  foundation  upon  which  she  built  her  peerless  character: 

The  corner-stone  to  practical  religion  is  the  Golden  Rule.  How 
best  to  obey  its  mandate  is  the  vital  question.  Our  conviction, 


General  John  A.  Logan  in  1884. 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  369 

our  faith,  is  that  the  surest  hope  of  mankind  is  in  America.  Within 
our  limits,  within  our  reach,  are  gathered  representatives  of  all 
the  races  of  mankind.  .  .  .  That  duty  is  of  highest  obligation 
which  is  nearest  in  time  and  place.  With  America  and  American 
homes  what  they  should  be,  we  need  not  greatly  fear  the  evils 
that  threaten  us  from  other  lands.  We  can  easily  shun  or  safely 
meet  them,  if  our  duty  is  faithfully  done  in  behalf  of  the  weak, 
the  ignorant,  and  the  needy  of  our  country.  If  our  institutions, 
social  and  political,  are  imperiled  to-day,  it  is  largely  because  of 
the  wealthy  and  the  fortunate.  Engrossed  as  they  are  in  the 
midst  of  our  vast  material  progress  and  prosperity,  they  are  not 
sufficiently  mindful  of  what  was  taught  by  the  words  and  life  of 
the  Founder  of  our  blessed  religion:  "Whatsoever  ye  would  that 
men  should  do  to  you,  do  ye  even  so  to  them." 

Though  a  Methodist,  she  earnestly  supported  every  move 
ment  for  the  advancement  of  religion  and  the  betterment  of 
the  world. 

General  Logan  having  been  returned  to  the  Senate  the 
winter  of  1879,  I  saw  much  of  Mrs.  Hayes  during  President 
Hayes's  administration,  and  am  proud  to  repeat  that  I  con 
sider  her  to  have  been  one  of  the  noblest  types  of  American 
womanhood,  and  beyond  all  question  the  ablest,  and  her  in 
fluence  for  good  the  most  abiding,  of  all  the  women  who  have 
ever  presided  in  the  White  House. 

During  the  winter  we  had  delightful  evenings  in  the  parlor 
of  the  boarding-house,  there  being  so  many  talented  people 
in  the  house  who  were  always  ready  to  furnish  papers,  talks, 
recitations,  and  music.  The  regular  residents  in  the  house 
had  guests  from  time  to  time,  who  frequently  added  interest 
ing  features  to  the  programme.  Reverend  J.  P.  Newman  was 
then  filling  the  pulpit  in  the  Metropolitan  Church.  His  ser 
mons  were,  without  exception,  full  of  inspired  language.  He 
made  a  study  of  the  English  language,  and  always  used  the 
exact  word  which  would  express  his  meaning  most  forcefully 
and  beautifully.  I  once  spoke  to  him  about  his  peculiar  gift. 
He  said  it  was  an  acquisition  rather  than  a  gift.  That  he 


370  A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE 

analyzed  every  word  he  used  in  writing  and  preaching,  as  he 
wished  his  readers  or  his  hearers  to  have  a  clear  comprehen 
sion  of  the  subject  he  handled.  He  was  a  large  man,  with  a 
big  head  full  of  brains,  and  it  would  have  been  impossible  for 
him  to  be  other  than  forceful.  He  was  intensely  patriotic 
and  courageous,  and  there  was  never  any  doubt  as  to  the 
meaning  of  his  utterances.  He  was  devoted  to  General  Grant, 
and  bore  with  ill  grace  the  attacks  upon  his  hero.  Losing  all 
patience  with  General  Grant's  detractors,  he  was  ever  ready 
to  defend  him  valiantly.  There  is  a  pew  in  the  Metropolitan 
Church  assigned  to  the  President  of  the  United  States. 
President  Hayes  being  a  Methodist,  it  was  thought  he  would 
be  Grant's  successor  in  the  occupancy  of  that  pew,  but  for 
some  unknown  reason  President  Hayes  had  a  prejudice  against 
Doctor  Newman,  and  decided  to  attend  Foundry  Church, 
then  on  the  corner  of  Fourteenth  and  G  Streets.  I  one  day 
said  to  the  wife  of  a  member  of  President  Hayes's  cabinet: 
"Why  do  not  the  President  and  Mrs.  Hayes  attend  the 
Metropolitan  Church?"  She  replied:  "Because  Grant  at 
tended  that  church,  and  Doctor  Newman  is  always  defend 
ing  Grant  and  all  the  '  skulduggery '  of  his  administration." 
No  further  explanation  was  necessary.  I  have  often  wondered 
if  President  Hayes,  after  his  retirement  from  the  White  House 
under  the  adverse  criticism  of  the  many,  did  not  have  a  keener 
appreciation  of  the  injustice  heaped  upon  the  chief  magistrate 
by  disappointed  critics. 

General  Logan  and  I  had  a  very  happy  winter,  in  that  we 
were  able  to  read  aloud  to  each  other,  accomplishing  more  in 
that  direction  during  this  winter  than  we  had  been  able  to 
do  for  many  years.  We  read  a  great  many  interesting  books, 
and  went  to  many  lectures,  dramatic  performances,  and  social 
affairs.  We  had  more  time  to  enjoy  our  friends  than  we  had 
ever  had  in  Washington. 


CHAPTER  XV 

GENERAL  LOGAN  RETURNED  TO  THE  SENATE  —  STRIKING  VICTORY 
AFTER  EXCITING  CAMPAIGN  —  RECEPTION  GIVEN  TO  US  BY  THE 
LEGISLATURE  AND  CITIZENS  OF  SPRINGFIELD  —  MEMBERSHIP  OF 
THE  SENATE  IN  1879  —  THE  PRESIDENTIAL  CAMPAIGN  —  NUMER 
OUS  CANDIDATES  —  ATTACK  OF  LOWE,  OF  ALABAMA,  ON  GEN 
ERAL  LOGAN  —  HIS  SUBSEQUENT  APOLOGY  —  RETURN  OF  GEN 
ERAL  GRANT  FROM  HIS  WORLD-TOUR  —  RECEPTIONS  AT  GALENA 
AND  CHICAGO  —  BANQUET  OF  THE  ARMY  OF  THE  TENNESSEE  — 
GRANT  A  CANDIDATE  FOR  PRESIDENT  —  OPPOSITION  OF  ELAINE 
AND  OTHERS  —  THE  FITZ-JOHN  PORTER  CASE  AND  GENERAL 
LOGAN'S  PART  IN  IT  —  THE  ILLINOIS  CONVENTION  OF  1880 
CONTROLLED  BY  LOGAN  —  GARFIELD'S  NOMINATION  AT  CHICAGO 
—  GENERAL  LOGAN'S  LOYAL  WORK  IN  THE  FOLLOWING  CAM 
PAIGN 

WHEN  we  arrived  home  we  found  that  General  Logan's 
friends  had  been  very  busy  in  the  matter  of  securing  the  mem 
bers  of  the  legislature  who  were  favorable  to  his  return  to 
the  United  States  Senate.  We  found  also  that  the  many 
letters  which  we  had  written  from  Washington  in  reply  to 
inquiries  from  General  Logan's  friends  as  to  what  he  would 
do  had  been  most  effective.  At  the  November  election, 
although  it  was  an  off  year  (meaning  that  it  was  not  a  Presi 
dential-election  year),  the  Republican  party  won  many  vic 
tories,  and  changed  the  complexion  of  Illinois  politics  com 
pletely.  There  was  no  longer  any  doubt  as  to  which  party 
would  control  the  legislature  when  it  should  meet  in  January, 
1879,  or  who  would  succeed  Senator  Oglesby,  whose  time  was 
to  expire  March  4,  1879.  Oglesby  was  a  candidate  himself, 
but  from  written  pledges  sent  to  General  Logan  and  his 
friends  it  was  well  known  that  General  Logan  had  a  majority 
of  the  legislature. 

371 


372  REMINISCENCES   OF 

Although  feeling  confident  of  success,  General  Logan  in 
sisted  that  I  should  accompany  him  to  Springfield,  as  he  was 
loath  to  go  into  any  contest  unless  I  was  near  him.  It  was 
evident  that  there  would  be  no  such  scenes  as  were  enacted 
in  the  legislature  of  1876-7,  and  that  the  "Reformers"  had 
had  their  day,  and  had  been  retired  to  private  life.  The  Re 
publican  and  Democratic  parties  would  have  straight  nom 
inees  for  the  senatorship;  there  would  be  no  more  mongrels 
with  which  to  contend. 

The  legislature  met  January  i,  and  it  was  refreshing  to  us 
to  be  so  cordially  received  when  we  arrived  in  Springfield,  on 
January  4,  accompanied  by  Doctor  C.  A.  Logan,  late  American 
minister  to  Chile,  and  to  be  made  to  feel  that  there  was  a 
unanimous  desire  for  General  Logan's  re-election.  We  were 
soon  ensconced  in  the  same  old  rooms  in  the  Leland  Hotel 
which  we  had  occupied  at  the  time  of  General  Logan's  first 
election  to  the  Senate,  and  though  we  missed  so  many  of  the 
dear  friends  who  were  there  at  that  time  to  lend  their  aid  to 
the  general's  first  election,  we  found  their  places  had  been 
taken  by  others  who  were  equally  enthusiastic  and  energetic 
in  their  daily  efforts  in  my  husband's  behalf. 

The  legislature  being  strongly  Republican,  it  was  not  long 
in  organizing  and  settling  down  to  business,  the  most  important 
object  being  the  election  of  the  United  States  senator.  The 
caucuses  of  both  parties  were  held  soon  after  the  organization, 
and  nominations  were  made  for  the  officers  of  House  and 
Senate.  Naturally,  General  Logan  had  opposition,  as,  of 
course,  it  was  impossible  for  any  man  to  please  everybody. 
The  Chicago  Tribune  and  Times  fought  him  as  usual.  The 
Times  because  it  was  a  Democratic  paper,  and  the  Tribune  on 
the  ground  of  free  trade.  Upright,  patriotic  men  all  over  the 
State  had  arisen  en  masse  to  put  down  the  men  who  had  created 
so  much  trouble  in  the  legislature  in  1877.  Senator  David 
Davis  was  most  enthusiastic  in  his  support  of  General  Logan, 
though  he  had  himself  been  elected  by  a  combination  of  the 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  373 

disgruntled  elements  of  both  parties,  each  claiming  him  as 
their  own.  It  was  soon  discovered  that  it  would  be  impossible 
for  any  malcontent  to  cause  a  postponement  of  the  holding 
of  the  caucuses,  the  action  of  which  was  equivalent  to  an  elec 
tion  in  those  days. 

My  observation  has  been  that  the  old-fashioned  conven 
tions  and  caucuses  were  purer  methods  than  the  latter-day 
primaries  and  indifference  to  the  mandates  of  a  convention. 
If  a  man  went  into  a  convention  and  voted  for  a  candidate, 
he  regarded  it  as  a  pledge  to  support  his  candidate,  and  it 
was  a  rare  thing  for  any  man  to  take  the  chances  of  jeopardizing 
the  confidence  of  his  party  and  his  friends  by  bolting  a  caucus 
or  convention  in  which  he  had  participated.  It  is  impossible 
to  account  for  the  change  in  political  affairs  at  the  present 
day  on  any  other  theory  than  that  the  foreign  elements  that 
have  crept  into  the  party  organizations  are  so  impregnated 
with  socialism  and  the  various  theories  of  socialists  and  an 
archists  that  they  wish  to  destroy  rather  than  to  build  up. 

The  caucus  for  electing  the  officers  of  the  legislature  was 
held  on  January  7.  There  being  little  rivalry  for  the  vice- 
presidency  of  the  senate  and  the  speakership  of  the  house 
and  subordinate  offices,  it  passed  off  very  harmoniously. 
Soon  afterward  it  was  agreed  to  hold,  on  January  17,  the  Re 
publican  caucus  for  nominating  the  United  States  senator. 

When  the  time  arrived  there  was  not  an  absentee  among 
those  entitled  to  be  present  at  the  Republican  caucus,  which 
included  every  Republican  member  of  the  House  and  Senate, 
and  there  were  but  few  who  were  disposed  to  disturb  the 
harmony  of  the  caucus.  When  the  vote  was  taken  it  was 
as  follows:  total  for  General  Logan — eighty;  for  General 
Oglesby — twenty-six.  A  legislature  composed  of  more  honor 
able  men  never  met  in  the  State  of  Illinois.  Both  candidates 
stood  high  in  the  estimation  of  the  people  of  the  State,  but 
the  majority  were  sure  that  General  Logan  could  render  the 
greater  services  to  his  State  and  country. 


374  REMINISCENCES  OF 

There  were  in  Chicago  at  that  time  several  aspirants  for 
the  Senate  whose  only  foundation  for  such  ambition  was  the 
fact  that  they  had  money,  which  had  been  inherited  or  made 
by  devotion  to  private  business,  when  men  like  Logan  and 
Oglesby  were  serving  their  country  in  the  field  or  forum. 
These  men  were  unknown  outside  of  the  city  and  had  nothing 
in  common  with  the  people.  It  was  easy  enough  for  them  to 
promote  the  election  to  the  legislature  of  impecunious  men 
who,  if  they  could  do  nothing  else,  could  at  least  cause  dissen 
sion  in  the  party,  and  who  had  in  the  past  aided  in  bringing 
about  the  defeat  of  the  Republican  party.  They  had  done 
this,  although  they  represented  only  the  men  who  had  caused 
their  election  for  the  purpose  of  promoting  the  aggrandizement 
of  ambitions  with  no  foundation  except  that  of  a  financial 
nature.  Mr.  C.  B.  Farwell  and  E.  B.  Washburne,  of  the  Repub 
lican  party,  and  Lambert  Tree  and  Franklin  MacVeagh,  of  the 
Democratic  party,  were  candidates  from  Chicago,  while  Hon. 
William  R.  Morrison  and  General  John  C.  Black  were  candi 
dates  from  the  central  and  southern  part  of  the  State.  Gen 
eral  Logan,  having  had  such  an  overwhelming  majority  of 
the  party  which  controlled  the  legislature,  was  made  United 
States  senator  as  soon  as  all  the  forms  prescribed  by  the 
Constitution  were  complied  with.  Mr.  Frank  Riddle  and  one 
or  two  others,  without  being  able  to  give  any  legitimate  excuse 
for  their  action,  violently  opposed  General  Logan's  election 
while  it  was  possible  for  them  to  make  any  trouble.  When  it 
became  apparent  that  General  Logan  had  such  a  large  majority 
they  were  silenced  and  concluded  that  they  would  vote  for 
him.  It  was  always  said  that,  having  complied  with  the  in 
structions  of  men  whose  creatures  they  were,  they  did  not 
wish  to  be  read  out  of  the  Republican  party,  so  they  came  in 
and  voted  for  General  Logan  at  the  last. 

Everybody  was  so  rejoiced  over  General  Logan's  election 
that  a  magnificent  reception  was  tendered  to  us  by  the  legis 
lature  and  the  citizens  of  Springfield,  at  the  Leland  Hotel, 


A   SOLDIER'S  WIFE  375 

where  we  were  stopping.  At  this  reception  I  was  assisted  by 
Mrs.  T.  B.  Needles,  wife  of  Senator  Needles;  Mrs.  James 
Shaw,  wife  of  Speaker  Shaw;  Mrs.  Joslyn,  wife  of  Senator 
Joslyn;  Mrs.  White,  wife  of  Senator  White;  Mrs.  D.  N.  Bash, 
wife  of  Senator  Bash;  and  Mrs.  J.  A.  Connelly,  wife  of  Major 
J.  A.  Connelly.  A  pleasant  feature  of  this  reception  was  the 
presentation  to  Hon.  A.  M.  Jones,  by  Senator  Hunt,  on  behalf 
of  the  State  central  committee  and  personal  friends,  of  a  mag 
nificent  silver  tea-service  in  recognition  of  Mr.  Jones's  faith 
ful  and  efficient  services  as  chairman  of  the  Republican  State 
central  committee. 

We  left  Springfield  for  home  under  very  different  auspices 
from  those  of  1877.  Everything  looked  bright  and  promising 
to  us.  Even  though  we  knew  that  there  was  prodigious  work 
awaiting  General  Logan  as  soon  as  he  should  enter  the  Sen 
ate,  we  were  happy,  as  we  felt  that  beyond  any  question  he 
would  be  restored  to  the  prominent  places  on  the  important 
committees  in  the  Senate  which  he  held  when  he  retired  from 
that  body  in  1877.  The  ovation  tendered  him  on  his  arrival 
in  Washington  was  most  gratifying  to  both  of  us.  We  went 
back  to  our  old  quarters  at  812  Twelfth  Street,  and  took  up 
the  treadmill  duties  as  if  we  had  not  been  absent  a  day. 

At  the  same  time  General  Logan  was  elected  to  the  Senate 
from  Illinois,  Senators  Vest  and  Shields  of  Missouri;  Daniel 
Voorhees  of  Indiana ;  Roscoe  Conkling  of  New  York ;  Platt  of 
Connecticut;  Hill  of  Colorado;  Jones  of  Nevada;  Governor 
Vance  of  North  Carolina;  Cameron  of  Pennsylvania;  and 
Carpenter  of  Wisconsin  were  also  returned.  Many  old 
colleagues  greeted  each  other  on  the  floor  of  the  Senate 
March  4,  1879.  Vice-President  Wheeler  was  then  in  the 
chair.  In  the  Senate  there  was  Senator  Thomas  Bayard  of 
Delaware,  whose  greatest  pride  was  that  he  was  a  descendant 
of  a  long  line  of  eminent  statesmen.  Senator  Beck  of  Ken 
tucky,  that  sturdy  Scotchman  who  was  never  troubled  by 
the  Presidential  bee  because  he  was  born  in  Scotland  and 


376  REMINISCENCES  OF 

thus  disqualified  for  occupying  the  executive  mansion,  was 
one  of  the  noblest  and  bravest  men  of  the  Senate,  and  his 
friendship  was  never  bounded  by  the  narrow  limitations  of 
partisanship.  George  H.  Pendleton,  of  Ohio,  the  perfect  op 
posite  of  his  colleague,  John  Sherman,  was  a  most  ambitious 
man,  and  his  elaborate  manner  was  such  that  he  had  been 
given  the  cognomen  of  "Gentleman  George."  He  was  very 
polished  in  his  manner,  but  never  particularly  forceful.  The 
able  Senator  Pinkney  Whyte  of  Maryland  was  in  the  Sen 
ate  at  this  time.  Cockrell  of  Missouri  was  a  fine  lawyer  who, 
while  having  one  of  the  bravest  records  among  the  officers 
of  the  Confederacy  in  the  Senate,  rarely  boasted  of  it  before 
that  body.  Senator  Bruce,  the  colored  Senator  from  Mis 
sissippi,  was  one  of  the  most  accomplished  gentlemen  in  his 
manners  and  bearing  in  the  Senate.  He  was  a  very  agreeable 
man  and  conducted  himself  with  the  utmost  propriety,  win 
ning  the  regard  of  his  colleagues  without  distinction  of  party. 
L.  Q.  C.  Lamar  was  one  of  the  ablest  men  from  the  South. 
He  had  had  a  distinguished  career  during  the  war  as  a  brave 
soldier.  His  manners  were  polished,  and  his  ability  as  a 
debater  and  his  sterling  integrity  made  him  very  popular. 
He  was  subsequently  named  as  associate  justice  upon  the 
Supreme  Bench.  No  one  who  ever  saw  Senator  Vest  of 
Missouri  could  forget  him.  He  was  a  brave,  conscientious 
representative  of  the  State  of  Missouri,  and  was  ever  ready 
to  enter  into  a  discussion  of  any  political  question  that  arose 
in  the  Senate.  Anthony  and  Burnside  of  Rhode  Island,  while 
of  entirely  different  temperaments,  were  both  able  debaters 
and  genial,  companionable  gentlemen.  Senator  Dawes  of 
Massachusetts  was  probably  the  most  perfect  type  of  New 
England  man  in  the  Senate.  He  was  conscientious  and  an 
earnest  Republican  in  principle.  He  was  not  a  brilliant  man 
in  any  sense  of  the  word,  but  a  very  hard  worker  on  commit 
tees  and  for  the  best  interests  of  Massachusetts.  Plumb  of 
Kansas,  an  able  man  without  one  particle  of  polish  or  appre- 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  377 

elation  of  ceremony,  was  very  careless  in  his  dress  and  fear 
less  in  the  advocacy  of  the  principles  of  the  Republican 
party. 

General  Logan's  colleague,  the  Hon.  David  Davis,  was  pon 
derous  in  every  sense  of  the  word.  He  had  a  big  head  and  a 
big  body,  a  big  brain  and  a  big  heart.  He  had  been  on  the 
Supreme  Bench  so  many  years  that  he  was  well  accustomed 
to  listen;  consequently  he  had  very  little  to  say  in  the  Senate. 
He  was  always  intensely  interested  in  discussions,  and  now 
and  again  expressed  himself  in  a  forcible  way  which  showed 
he  was  by  no  means  a  nonentity.  Curiously  enough  he  be 
came  so  attached  to  General  Logan  that  the  general  often 
said  he  had  never  had  a  more  congenial  colleague  than  David 
Davis.  When  the  general's  contest  was  going  on  in  Spring 
field,  David  Davis  assisted  him  greatly  in  the  campaign 
and  was  among  the  first  to  congratulate  the  general  on  his 
election.  His  misfortune  was  that  his  aspirations  to  become 
President  of  the  United  States  caused  him  to  give  up  the  posi 
tion  of  Associate  Justice  of  the  Supreme  Court  for  the  position 
of  United  States  senator,  a  position  for  which  he  was  abso 
lutely  unfitted. 

There  is  no  disputing  the  fact  that  in  those  days,  when 
men  were  elected  on  principle  and  on  account  of  their  fitness 
for  the  duties  of  statesmanship,  we  had  greater  men,  espe 
cially  in  the  Senate.  Almost  without  exception,  every  man 
whose  name  is  mentioned  above  made  an  enviable  reputation 
during  his  term.  Political  problems  affecting  the  welfare  of 
the  nation  were  as  manifold  then  as  now.  Few  men  then 
in  the  Senate  were  connected  with  any  business  enterprise. 
Seemingly,  they  devoted  all  their  time  to  the  discharge  of 
their  public  duties,  rarely  absenting  themselves  when  Con 
gress  was  in  session.  They  were  bitter  partisans  in  politics, 
taking  active  parts  in  every  movement  affecting  their  party. 
" Independents,"  "Mugwumps,"  "Socialists,"  were  few,  the 
majority  being  loyal  either  to  the  Democratic  or  Republi- 


378  REMINISCENCES  OF 

can  party.  Members  of  these  two  great  parties  entertained 
supreme  contempt  for  renegades  from  their  respective  ranks. 

Unfortunately  for  the  peace  and  quiet  of  our  country,  there 
is  continually  some  local,  legislative,  senatorial,  or  national 
election  pending.  A  man  is  scarcely  installed  in  the  position 
to  which  he  has  been  elected  when  he  must  begin  to  plan  for 
re-election  or  to  surrender  his  place  to  a  successor.  This 
constant  revolution  in  offices  deprives  the  country  of  the  serv 
ices  of  many  good  men;  and  there  are  so  many  safeguards 
that  a  bad  man  can  not  be  ejected  should  one  happen  to  be 
elected  to  office. 

In  addition  to  the  momentous  questions  before  Congress, 
the  approaching  Presidential  election  was  causing  more  excite 
ment,  if  possible,  than  that  which  preceded  the  nomination 
and  seating  by  the  Electoral  Commission  of  Hayes  and 
Wheeler,  neither  of  whom  had  been  satisfactory  to  the  Re 
publican  party  when  they  were  nominated  or  after  they  were 
seated.  President  Hayes  was  too  vacillating,  too  slow,  to 
please  either  the  radicals  or  conservatives.  Mr.  Wheeler 
was  a  good  man,  but  far  from  brilliant.  Candidates  for  the 
Presidency  were  daily  springing  up — Grant,  Elaine,  Wash- 
burne,  Windom,  Edmunds,  Sherman,  and  Garfield.  Garfield, 
under  cover  of  being  a  Sherman  man,  was  from  the  first 
thought  to  be  working  assiduously  for  his  own  nomination. 

Naturally  the  prominence  of  these  men  for  the  nomination 
directed  attention  to  their  wives,  any  of  whom  would  have 
made  an  acceptable  mistress  of  the  White  House.  Mrs. 
James  G.  Elaine  was  a  tall,  large  woman  with  a  distinguished 
carriage.  She  was  a  woman  of  rare  intelligence,  but  was,  un 
fortunately,  very  pronounced  in  her  opinions.  She  was  per 
fectly  guileless  in  her  character,  and  there  was  never  any 
question  as  to  Mrs.  Elaine's  approval  or  disapproval  of  polit 
ical,  social,  or  other  matters.  Great  injustice  has  been  done 
her  by  newspaper  correspondents  and  other  writers,  as  she 
was  generally  misunderstood.  She  was  a  devoted  wife  and 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  379 

mother,  and  no  one  in  New  England  had  a  more  conscientious 
appreciation  of  her  duties  as  such. 

Mrs.  E.  B.  Washburne  was  one  of  the  gentlest  and  most 
lovable  women  that  I  have  ever  known.  She  had  a  large 
family  of  children  and  a  very  imperious,  irritable  husband. 
Her  cheery,  amiable  disposition  was  a  panacea  for  all  the  ills 
of  her  family.  She  was  so  cordial  and  gracious  in  her  man 
ner  that  everybody  loved  her.  When  her  husband  assumed 
the  duties  of  minister  to  France,  it  is  said  that  Mrs.  Wash 
burne  was  the  better  diplomat  of  the  two,  and  that  she  left 
behind  her  hosts  of  friends  on  the  other  side  of  the  Atlantic, 
both  in  France  and  Germany. 

Mrs.  John  Sherman  was  a  woman  of  simplicity,  but  of  in 
tense  sincerity  of  character.  She  was  kind  and  considerate 
at  all  times,  but  was  so  modest  and  retiring  that  she  was 
never  properly  appreciated.  Mrs.  Edmunds,  wife  of  Senator 
Edmunds,  one  of  the  prominent  candidates,  was  a  perfect 
type  of  a  New  England  woman  in  her  domestic  tastes  and 
educational  attainments.  She  was  not  at  all  fond  of  society, 
but  devoted  all  of  her  time  to  her  home  and  her  brainy,  ambi 
tious  husband.  Mrs.  William  Windom  of  Minnesota  was  an 
active,  intellectual  woman,  alive  to  all  political  conditions. 
She  took  part  in  all  social  affairs  with  enthusiasm.  The 
world  knows  of  Mrs.  Garfield,  the  wife  of  the  successful  can 
didate.  It  is  unnecessary  to  give  a  sketch  of  her,  as  so  many 
have  been  written.  Suffice  to  say  that  she  is  one  of  the  most 
womanly  of  women,  and  would  doubtless  have  filled  the  place 
of  mistress  of  the  White  House  with  great  credit  to  herself 
and  satisfaction  to  the  public  had  President  Garfield  lived 
to  complete  his  term. 

It  would  be  well  if,  in  the  consideration  of  men  for  Presi 
dent,  Vice-President,  and  members  of  the  cabinet,  some 
thought  were  given  to  the  style  of  woman  who  is,  the  can 
didate's  wife.  From  time  immemorial  women  connected 
with  prominent  men  have  been  a  power  for  good  or  evil.  It 


380  REMINISCENCES  OF 

is  claimed  that  women  are  more  subtle  than  men  and  that 
their  machinations,  when  they  are  on  mischief  bent,  have  fre 
quently  resulted  disastrously  to  friendly  relations  between 
individuals,  governments,  and  nations.  None  of  the  wives 
of  our  Presidents  have  ever  been  accused  of  being  mischief- 
makers,  but  some  have  accomplished  much  more  than  others 
in  winning  friends  for  the  President  and  popularity  for  them 
selves,  while  wives  of  cabinet  officers  have  broken  up  cabi 
nets  and  defeated  aspirants  for  the  Presidency. 

In  a  few  brief  weeks  after  his  return  to  Washington  Gen 
eral  Logan  had  taken  up  many  of  the  bills,  a  large  number 
of  which  he  had  been  interested  in  before  his  retirement, 
which  were  still  on  the  calendar.  It  was  not  long  before  he 
had  become  wholly  engrossed  in  the  advocacy  of  the  passage 
of  these  and  many  other  measures  which  he  considered  im 
portant  for  the  welfare  of  the  nation.  In  the  mean  time  the 
political  pot  was  nearing  the  boiling-over  point.  General 
Grant  had  almost  completed  his  tour  around  the  world,  and 
it  was  expected  that  he  would  be  at  home  before  the  election 
of  delegates  to  the  national  convention  in  1880.  As  usual, 
a  great  warfare  was  being  made  on  men  who  were  to  take  an 
active  interest  in  these  political  affairs.  Among  them  Gen 
eral  Logan  came  in  for  his  share  of  abuse.  One  William  H. 
Lowe,  a  member  of  Congress  from  Alabama,  in  making  a 
political  speech  in  the  House,  so  far  forgot  himself  as  to  make 
a  personal  attack  upon  General  Logan,  reviving  the  infamous 
slander  that  had  been  heaped  upon  him  at  the  beginning 
of  the  war,  when  it  was  said  that  General  Logan  had  at 
tempted  to  raise  a  regiment  for  the  Southern  Confederacy. 
This  old  slander  had  been  repeated  at  intervals  ever  since 
the  beginning  of  the  war,  and  had  been  over  and  over  again 
disproved  by  men  then  living  who  were  cognizant  of  all  the 
facts  in  connection  with  the  episode  which  led  to  this  charge. 
It  was  to  this  effect:  a  number  of  young  men  from  southern 
Illinois,  led  by  Thorndike  Brooks,  a  former  resident  of  Balti- 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  381 

more,  Maryland,  and  a  man  of  some  wealth  but  of  a  very 
reckless  disposition,  were  induced  to  go  South  with  Brooks 
who  was  an  active  secession  sympathizer.  Among  the  num 
ber  of  young  men  who  joined  Captain  Brooks  was  H.  B. 
Cunningham,  my  brother,  who  was  then,  as  heretofore  de 
scribed,  at  school  in  Lebanon,  Illinois.  In  his  boyish  sympa 
thy  with  his  Southern  associates  he  had  joined  the  Southern 
army  without  realizing  that  it  meant  treason  against  the 
Government,  or  that  he  was  doing  anything  which  he  was 
destined  to  bitterly  regret.  Some  ex-Confederates  who  had 
known  Captain  Brooks  and  his  company  in  the  South  had 
greatly  exaggerated  the  matter  and  had  made  charges  that 
they  were  induced  to  go  by  General  Logan.  As  a  matter  of 
fact,  General  Logan  was  in  Washington  at  the  time  and  knew 
nothing  about  their  departure  for  the  Southern  Confederacy. 
General  Logan  lost  all  patience  with  Lowe,  scorning  a  mem 
ber  of  Congress  who  would  so  degrade  himself  as  to  be  the 
author  of  such  a  villainous  attack  upon  a  member  of  the 
Senate.  He  denounced  Lowe  as  a  " poltroon  and  a  coward." 
As  every  one  knows,  General  Logan  had  at  his  command  a 
strong  vocabulary  of  invective  when  he  wished  to  denounce 
a  person  who  was  guilty  of  slander  or  of  repeating  falsehoods. 
He  caused  Lowe  to  be  posted  as  a  "  poltroon  and  a  coward, " 
and  placed  him  in  a  very  embarrassing  position. 

Lowe,  following  his  Southern  instincts,  challenged  General 
Logan  to  a  duel.  The  excitement  ran  high  among  Lowe  and 
his  friends,  but  General  Logan  was  perfectly  indifferent  to 
the  matter.  I  must  confess  that  I  was  very  much  distressed 
over  it,  not  knowing  what  the  outcome  would  be.  General 
Logan  contemptuously  refused  to  accept  Lowe's  challenge, 
returning  as  his  reply  that  he  did  not  wish  to  see  Lowe  or 
any  of  his  representatives,  but  that  if  Lowe  did  not  retract 
the  scandalous  lies  which  he  had  heaped  upon  General  Logan 
and  should  ever  cross  his  (General  Logan's)  track,  he  would 
break  his  neck.  This  last  message  was  sent  the  morning  of 


382  REMINISCENCES  OF 

May  30.  The  weather  was  very  hot,  and  the  Hon.  John  R. 
Thomas  and  a  number  of  friends  invited  us  to  accompany 
them  to  Fortress  Monroe  to  stay  over  Sunday.  It  would  have 
been  delightful  on  the  boat  but  for  the  great  crowd,  as  it 
seemed  that  almost  everybody  had  decided  to  go  out  of  town 
over  Sunday.  We  sat  out  on  the  upper  deck  in  the  bow  of 
the  boat  until  a  very  late  hour,  the  party  singing  songs  and 
telling  stories  and  jokes,  and  having  a  good  time.  We  knew 
that  Colonel  Lowe  and  his  friends  were  on  the  boat,  but  as  they 
were  on  the  upper  deck  near  the  stern,  we  did  not  see  them. 
Our  stateroom  was  near  the  stern  and  Lowe 's  stateroom  at  the 
bow.  Such  a  great  crowd  was  on  board  that  it  had  been 
necessary  to  lay  mattresses  end  to  end  almost  the  whole 
length  of  the  cabin.  Some  time  after  midnight  we  said  good 
night  to  our  friends  and  started  for  our  stateroom,  I  leading 
the  way  through  the  narrow  path  between  the  staterooms 
and  the  edges  of  the  mattresses.  I  was  walking  along  in  the 
very  dim  light  in  the  cabin  when  I  came  face  to  face  with 
Mr.  Lowe,  almost  touching  him  before  we  recognized  each 
other.  Be  it  said  to  his  everlasting  credit  that  he  bowed  to 
me  and  turned  about,  going  around  the  railing,  that  protects 
the  stairway,  to  the  other  side  of  the  cabin.  Thus  he  and 
General  Logan  did  not  meet.  I  was  never  so  frightened  in 
my  life,  because  I  did  not  know  whether  he  would  have  the 
politeness  to  move  or  not,  and  if  he  had  not,  I  am  quite  sure 
there  would  have  been  a  personal  altercation  between  him 
and  General  Logan,  which  both  of  us  would  have  regretted 
extremely. 

A  few  days  after  our  return  from  Fortress  Monroe,  Senator 
Spencer,  of  Alabama,  came  back  to  Washington,  having  been 
on  a  visit  to  his  home.  He  was  very  much  excited  over  what 
he  called  Lowe's  foolhardiness.  He  hunted  up  Lowe  and 
told  him  what  he  knew  of  the  general's  skill  as  a  shot.  He 
told  Lowe  how  General  Logan  had  a  pair  of  the  finest  duelling 
pistols  in  the  country,  which  he  had  won  in  a  shooting  contest, 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  383 

and  that  he  used  to  practise,  when  they  were  all  in  the  service 
together,  shooting  at  a  cap-box  set  on  the  head  of  a  colored 
boy  who  thought  it  was  a  great  thing  to  have  General  Logan 
shoot  the  box  off  his  head.  He  said  that  Lowe  turned  very 
pale,  and  that  after  he  had  assured  him  that  Logan  would 
have  no  foolishness  about  anything  of  that  kind,  Lowe  said 
he  guessed  he  had  made  a  fool  of  himself,  and  made  haste  to 
apologize  to  General  Logan  for  making  so  vicious  an  assault 
upon  him  in  the  House.  He  said  the  story  had  been  told 
him  by  a  person  he  thought  he  could  trust  and  that  he  had 
repeated  it,  believing  that  it  was  true. 

Senator  Lamar,  Captain  Thorndike  Brooks,  and  a  number 
of  persons  who  knew  about  the  facts  in  the  case  at  once  made 
affidavits  which  effectually  silenced  these  detractors,  and  the 
matter  was  not  again  brought  up  after  General  Logan  rose 
to  a  personal  explanation  in  the  Senate  and  put  on  record  all 
these  affidavits  and  statements.  General  Logan  insisted  that 
it  was  not  necessary  for  him  to  meet  anybody  in  personal  com 
bat  to  establish  his  reputation  for  moral  courage,  and  he  did 
his  country  a  good  service  by  taking  advantage  of  this  episode 
to  bring  the  contempt  of  the  whole  country  upon  duellists 
and  duelling.  He  succeeded  because  the  press  took  up  the 
matter  universally  and  indorsed  General  Logan's  action  with 
enthusiasm.  Poor  Lowe  suffered  keenly  from  the  criticism 
and  execrations  which  were  heaped  upon  him.  I  have  two 
volumes  of  scrap-books  containing  editorials  and  articles  on 
this  subject,  and  I  think  that  General  Logan  is  entitled  to  great 
credit  for  aiding  to  put  down  forever  a  resort  to  "the  code." 

Among  the  public  measures  which  General  Logan  advocated 
was  that  for  devoting  a  certain  percentage  of  the  internal 
revenue  to  educational  purposes.  He  had  the  opposition  of 
the  Prohibitionists  and  religious  element,  on  the  ground  that 
the  principal  sources  of  the  internal  revenue  were  alcoholic 
liquors  and  tobacco  and  were  therefore  tainted,  and  the 
bill  suffered  defeat.  From  his  first  entrance  into  the  House 


384  REMINISCENCES  OF 

of  Representatives  after  the  war,  General  Logan  had  meas 
ures  on  the  calendar  for  the  relief  of  the  Union  soldiers,  as 
also  innumerable  private  bills  for  the  relief  of  unfortunate 
persons  who  were  unable  to  collect  their  just  dues  from  the 
Government  except  by  special  act. 

Congress  adjourned  quite  late.  We  had  a  warm  welcome 
when  we  arrived  home.  There  was  much  excitement  over  the 
return  of  General  and  Mrs.  Grant,  who  were  expected  to 
reach  Chicago  early  in  November  from  their  trip  around  the 
world.  Committees  all  over  the  State  were  busy  arranging 
programmes  with  the  various  civil  and  soldier  organizations  to 
join  the  multitudes  who  were  to  welcome  them  home  again. 
In  Chicago,  there  were  numerous  committees  hard  at  work  in 
their  efforts  to  make  the  many  social  functions  successful. 
General  Sherman,  the  president  of  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee, 
called  a  meeting  of  that  society  for  the  day  of  General  Grant's 
arrival.  At  the  same  time  he  invited  all  other  army  societies 
to  join  them  in  the  cordial  welcome  to  the  returning  hero. 
The  crowd  was  unprecedented.  There  were  then  in  Chicago 
many  persons  who  had  formerly  lived  in  Galena,  among  them 
Hon.  E.  B.  Washburne.  Mr.  Washburne  had  resided  in 
Galena,  where  General  Grant  lived  when  he  joined  the  army 
under  Mr.  Lincoln's  first  call.  Neither  Mr.  Washburne  nor 
General  Grant  had  been  in  Galena  for  years,  and  General 
Grant's  home  there  had  been  closed  during  his  entire  ab 
sence. 

The  people  of  Galena  were  most  anxious  to  accord  Gen 
eral  and  Mrs.  Grant  as  generous  a  welcome  as  the  small  city 
could  afford.  They  enlisted  the  interest  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Washburne  in  their  project  to  make  this  the  greatest  event 
that  had  ever  occurred  in  Galena.  It  was  suggested  that  it 
would  be  a  fine  idea  to  open  General  Grant's  house  in  Galena, 
put  it  in  order,  and  have  General  and  Mrs.  Grant  entertain  a 
number  of  guests  at  dinner  on  the  night  of  their  arrival. 
The  house  was  cleaned  and  heated.  Many  additions  were 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  385 

made  to  the  furniture,  abundant  supplies  were  sent  to  the 
larder,  and  efficient  servants  and  caterers  were  installed. 
There  were  many  prominent  persons  then  living  in  Chicago 
who  had  formerly  lived  in  Galena  and  who  were  much  inter 
ested  in  the  preparations. 

The  Illinois  Central  Railroad  tendered  a  special  car  to  a 
number  of  guests  who  were  to  go  on  a  special  train  to  meet 
General  Grant's  east-bound  train  from  San  Francisco  and 
transfer  General  and  Mrs.  Grant  to  the  special  train  which 
was  to  convey  them  to  Galena.  We  were  staying  at  the 
Palmer  House,  our  residence  on  Calumet  Avenue  then 
being  rented,  and  were  invited  to  be  of  the  party  going 
on  the  special  train.  It  was  a  cold,  raw  day,  but  in  the 
comfortable  train  we  soon  forgot  the  weather,  so  jolly  and 
bright  was  the  party,  especially  after  General  Grant  came 
on  board.  It  was  late  in  the  afternoon  when  we  reached 
Galena.  The  citizens  had  decorated  the  whole  city  in  bunt 
ing  and  every  patriotic  device  conceivable,  and  had  erected  a 
large  platform  in  the  centre  of  the  square.  It  seemed  as  if 
half  the  population  of  the  surrounding  country  had  assembled 
there  to  extend  a  cordial  welcome  to  the  hero  of  Appomattox. 
The  address  of  welcome  was  made  by  State  Senator  McClel- 
lan;  and  a  number  of  speeches  followed.  Governor  Cullom  of 
Illinois;  Governor  Smith  of  Wisconsin;  Governor  Gear  of 
Iowa;  General  Logan,  and  a  number  of  silver-tongued  orators 
of  the  State  made  glowing  speeches.  It  was  fully  five  o'clock 
when  the  long  procession,  interspersed  with  brass  bands,  es 
corted  General  and  Mrs.  Grant  and  the  Chicago  delegation 
to  the  old  home. 

The  dinner  was  most  delightful,  every  one  being  in  high 
spirits.  The  General  and  Mrs.  Grant  seemed  for  a  moment 
to  have  forgotten  their  long  absence  from  this  simple  home. 
Mrs.  Washburne  had  made  a  visit  to  Galena  a  week  before  to 
aid  old  friends  in  the  work  of  renovating  the  Grant  home.  She 
had  assumed  the  direction  of  the  workers,  who  were  busy  for 


386  REMINISCENCES  OF 

days,  in  the  task  of  removing  the  accumulation  of  dust  and 
cobwebs  and  making  the  old  home  ready  for  its  aforetime 
occupants. 

After  dinner  almost  all  the  guests  departed  for  the  hotel. 
Mrs.  Washburne  had  arranged  for  General  Logan  and  myself, 
Mr.  Washburne  and  herself,  to  spend  the  night  in  the  Grant 
home,  General  and  Mrs.  Grant  also  insisting  that  we  should 
remain.  The  day  had  been  a  busy,  fatiguing  one,  but  no  one 
wished  to  retire.  We  six  sat  up  until  long  after  midnight 
listening  to  General  Grant's  description  of  the  wonderful  re 
ceptions  he  had  had  from  the  potentates  of  every  land.  His 
comparison  of  nations  and  many  of  the  incidents  of  his  journey 
were  told  to  a  charmed  audience.  I  remember  he  expressed 
deep  sympathy  for  the  Italians  as  being  more  nearly  without 
resources  than  any  other  people.  He  was  greatly  pleased 
with  the  Japanese  and  was  sure  that  through  them  Western 
civilization  would  penetrate  to  the  farthest  boundary  of  the 
Orient.  He  was  not  much  inclined  to  be  a  candidate  for  the 
Presidency,  but  did  not  like  to  refuse  positively  at  that  time 
because  his  friends  insisted  he  was  the  man  to  insure  the  suc 
cess  of  the  Republican  party.  It  was  indeed  a  privilege  to 
have  been  present  on  that  memorable  night.  In  his  own 
home,  surrounded  by  trusted  friends,  General  Grant,  although 
called  the  "  Silent  Man, "  was  a  fascinating  talker.  As  I  have 
already  recorded,  he  enjoyed  a  joke  at  the  expense  of  Mrs. 
Grant,  who,  in  her  guileless  nature,  was  continually  making 
mistakes  and  after  realizing  her  blunders  appealing  to  the 
general  to  extricate  her  from  her  dilemmas.  The  following 
morning  the  party  returned,  leaving  General  and  Mrs.  Grant 
to  enjoy  a  few  days'  respite  from  the  crowds  so  impatiently 
awaiting  their  arrival  in  Chicago.  The  welcome  in  Galena 
was  the  beginning  of  a  series  of  demonstrations  and  entertain 
ments  such  as  had  never  before  been  paid  to  an  American  citi 
zen.  The  honors  tendered  General  Grant  as  the  conquering 
hero  of  the  Civil  War  could  not  compare  with  those  proffered 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  387 

after  he  had  borne  himself  so  nobly  as  the  guest  of  the  rulers 
of  the  world. 

On  the  twelfth  of  November  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee 
convened  at  the  Palmer  House.  This  society  had  invited  the 
members  of  all  the  other  army  societies  to  join  them  in  wel 
coming  home  again  their  old  commander.  Many  accepted 
the  invitation  and,  as  a  result,  there  were  more  distinguished 
officers  of  the  Union  army  present  than  had  ever  gathered 
since  peace  was  declared.  Each  society  had  adopted  a  badge 
during  the  war  and  one  could,  therefore,  tell  by  the  badge 
to  which  army  the  officer  belonged.  Some  of  the  badges  were 
magnificently  studded  with  precious  stones.  A  number  of 
the  officers  wore  uniforms,  and  most  of  them  wore  the  well- 
known  army  hat.  General  Sherman  was  beaming  with  high 
spirits  and,  as  there  were  about  him  so  many  old  comrades  in 
arms,  he  was  untiring  in  his  efforts  to  keep  everybody  in  good 
humor.  Without  exception  they  responded  in  like  cordiality 
and  good  nature. 

I  have  been  in  Chicago  on  very  many  memorable  occasions, 
but  I  never  saw  such  a  crowd  as  there  was  on  the  day  General 
and  Mrs.  Grant  came  into  the  city.  Every  street  north  of 
Twelfth  and  south  of  the  north  branch  of  the  Chicago  River 
was  packed.  Every  hotel  was  full  to  overflowing,  while  pri 
vate  houses  had  been  thrown  open  to  guests.  The  whole 
police  force,  the  Union  Veteran's  Club,  and  other  organizations 
acted  as  guards  of  the  city,  while  a  portion  of  the  Union  Veter 
an's  Club  acted  as  special  escort  to  General  and  Mrs.  Grant. 
Their  rooms  were  in  the  Palmer  House,  and  it  was  simply 
impossible  to  cross  the  streets  for  blocks  on  either  side  of 
the  hotel.  It  was  with  great  difficulty  that  the  distinguished 
party  could  get  in  or  out  of  the  hotel.  A  private  luncheon  in 
the  red  parlors  had  been  arranged  by  Mr.  Palmer  for  General 
and  Mrs.  Grant  and  other  invited  guests.  It  required  mas 
terly  management  on  the  part  of  Mr.  Palmer  and  his  assist 
ants  to  serve  the  luncheon.  Every  time  either  door  was 


388  REMINISCENCES   OF 

opened  by  the  servitors  people  peered  in  through  the  smallest 
opening  to  get  a  peep  at  the  hero  of  the  hour.  At  the  public 
reception  which  followed  the  crowd  was  simply  unmanage 
able,  and  the  programme  had  to  be  abandoned  on  account  of 
the  pressure  of  ordinarily  well-behaved,  refined  people  who 
were  determined  to  clasp  the  hands  of  General  and  Mrs. 
Grant.  Strong  men  were  unable  to  restrain  the  crowd. 
Finally,  the  receiving  party  made  their  escape  through  a  win 
dow  into  a  rear  hallway,  up  a  back  stair  to  an  upper  story. 
It  took  some  time  to  convince  the  mass  of  human  beings 
jammed  in  the  main  halls,  on  the  stairs,  in  the  reception 
rooms  and  parlors,  that  General  and  Mrs.  Grant  had  retired. 

On  the  morning  of  the  thirteenth,  at  ten  o'clock,  a  superb  re 
ception  was  tendered  General  Grant  by  the  Union  Veteran's 
Club,  at  McVicker's  Theatre,  which  was  decorated  from  pit 
to  galleries.  The  meeting  was  called  to  order  by  General 
Chetlain.  On  the  platform  stood  a  goddess  of  liberty  sur 
rounded  by  lovely  young  ladies,  each  representing  a  State  and 
bearing  a  placard  "  Welcome."  At  the  feet  of  the  goddess  sat 
five  very  small  girls  representing  the  territories.  On  the  plat 
form  as  speakers  were  General  Logan,  General  Woodford, 
General  Fuller,  General  Julius  White,  Reverend  G.  C.  Trus- 
dell,  General  R.  J.  Oglesby,  Governor  Cullom,  John  C.  Bar 
ker,  Colonel  E.  B.  Sherman,  Captain  J.  S.  Curtiss,  Colonel 
Mann,  Emery  A.  Storrs,  E.  A.  Filkins,  Judge  R.  S.  Tuthill, 
Mayor  Harrison,  Brigadier- General  Pavey,  Captain  M.  E. 
Ewing,  J.  H.  Russell,  and  others.  The  old  flag  of  the  2ist 
Illinois  Volunteers,  Grant's  original  regiment,  was  brought  out 
and  three  ringing  cheers  given.  To  hold  aloft  this  tattered  em 
blem  during  the  war,  seven  color-bearers  had  laid  down  their 
lives.  William  Hendershott,  "  drummer-boy  of  the  Rappa- 
hannock,"  gave  a  drum  solo.  After  the  speeches  "taps" 
was  sounded  and  the  numerous  guests  took  their  departure. 

On  the  evening  of  November  13  the  Army  of  the  Ten 
nessee  held  a  banquet  in  the  large  dining-room  of  the  Palmer 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  389 

House,  which  seated  six  hundred  guests.  From  the  long 
table  across  one  end  of  the  room  the  other  tables  extended 
like  the  four  tines  of  a  fork.  The  decorations  were  a  match 
less  array  of  military  insignia — miniature  cannon,  rifles,  car 
bines,  Minie  balls — which,  together  with  flowers,  made  a 
superb  display.  At  each  place  there  was  a  pasteboard  tent, 
on  the  inside  of  which  the  menu  was  inscribed.  These  with 
narrow  red-and-white  ribbons  and  small  silk  flags  were  the 
souvenirs.  The  diners  assembled  in  the  large  hall  and  par 
lors,  and  were  arranged  in  line  according  to  the  position  they 
were  to  occupy  at  the  tables.  At  a  bugle-call,  the  line  moved 
to  the  dining-room,  headed  by  Grant  and  Sherman,  followed 
by  Sheridan,  Logan,  Schofield,  and  the  long  list  of  illustrious 
soldiers  and  distinguished  citizens.  At  the  speaker's  table, 
beginning  at  the  south  end,  were  Reverend  David  Swing, 
Reverend  Doctor  Thomas,  Judge  Dickey,  Judge  Drummond, 
Governor  Cullom,  Bishop  Fallows,  General  R.  J.  Oglesby, 
General  C.  C.  Auger,  Senator  Don  Cameron,  General  Scho 
field,  General  W.  Q.  Gresham,  General  Logan,  General 
Sherman,  General  Grant,  General  Sheridan,  Rear-Admiral 
Stevens,  Judge  A.  Taft,  General  Pope,  General  Crook, 
General  Robinson,  Governor  Smith,  Governor  Gear,  Hon. 
E.  B.  Washburne,  Judge  Howe,  and  Mayor  Harrison,  which 
brought  Sherman  in  the  middle  with  Grant  and  Sheridan  on 
his  right,  Logan  and  Gresham  on  his  left. 

General  Sherman  was  the  toast-master,  a  position  he  filled 
admirably.  The  toasts,  prepared  mainly  by  Hon.  Richard 
S.  Tuthill  of  Chicago,  were  as  follows:  General  Grant,  "Our 
Country";  General  Logan,  "The  President  and  Congress"; 
General  Hurlburt,  "Army  of  the  Tennessee  ";  Colonel  Vilas, 
"Our  First  Commander";  Admiral  Stevens,  "The  Navy"; 
Leonard  Swett,  "The  Mexican  War";  General  Wilson,  "Army 
of  the  Cumberland";  General  Pope,  "The  Other  Armies"; 
Robert  G.  Ingersoll,  "The  Volunteer  Soldiers";  Emery  A. 
Storrs,  "The  Patriotic  People";  General  Thomas  C.  Fletcher, 


390  REMINISCENCES  OF 

"Woman";  Mark  Twain,  "Our  Babies";  General  Woodford, 
"Army  of  the  Potomac";  General  Schofield,  "The  Army." 

After  the  cheering,  as  the  speakers  concluded,  the  bands 
gave  some  martial  air,  which  frequently  started  the  whole 
company  to  singing,  and,  as  among  so  many  there  were  fine 
voices,  the  effect  was  simply  electrifying.  Allusion  to  Grant 
brought  them  to  their  feet  cheering  vociferously.  They  waved 
their  handkerchiefs  and  flags,  making  it  almost  impossible  for 
Sherman  to  proceed  with  the  programme.  At  its  conclusion 
"Auld  Lang  Syne"  was  sung,  the  bugler  sounded  taps  at 
three  o'clock  A.  M.,  and  this  historic  banquet  was  ended. 
Mr.  Palmer  had  kindly  arranged  a  place  for  the  ladies  in  the 
gallery  behind  a  curtain  of  smilax,  through  which  they  could 
see  and  hear  everything.  It  would  take  a  gifted  pen  and 
much  space  to  describe  the  details  of  that  marvellous  series  of 
receptions  given  in  honor  of  Grant's  return  to  his  native  land. 
Like  all  earthly  things,  they  had  to  come  to  an  end,  but  the 
celebrations  left  in  their  wake  nothing  but  pleasant  memories. 

Every  one  was  quite  sure  that  General  Grant  would  receive 
the  nomination  as  Republican  candidate  for  the  Presidency. 
Mr.  Washburne,  usually  a  reticent  man,  was  very  outspoken 
for  General  Grant.  Mr.  Washburne  himself  had  not  long 
been  at  home  from  his  diplomatic  sojourn  in  Europe,  and  had 
not  taken  up  any  special  work.  Before  our  departure  for 
Washington  after  Thanksgiving  Day  General  Logan  was  in 
conference  with  the  leading  Republicans  of  the  State  in  the 
interest  of  General  Grant's  nomination.  He  felt  all  was  well, 
and  did  not  anticipate  the  opposition  which  was  brewing  or 
the  conspiracies  that  were  being  organized  to  defeat  General 
Grant  for  the  nomination. 

We  returned  to  No.  812  Twelfth  Street,  N.  W.,  to  the  quarters 
we  had  occupied  for  years.  We  were  scarcely  unpacked  and 
settled  for  the  winter  when  a  deluge  of  letters  came  pouring 
in  from  all  over  the  country.  Prominent  and  active  Repub 
licans  in  every  State  in  the  Union  began  to  report  that  the 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  391 

Elaine  Bureau  was  secretly  organizing  the  Republicans  of  their 
section  in  opposition  to  Grant  and  the  third  term  and  in  favor 
of  Mr.  Elaine.  Seemingly  forgetting  the  storm  of  scandal  and 
abuse  through  which  Mr.  Elaine  had  passed  in  1872  and 
1876,  they  revived  all  the  scandals  which  had  occurred  during 
General  Grant's  eight  years  in  the  White  House,  and  com 
menced  a  furor  about  "Caesarism,"  "military  despotism," 
and  everything  that  could  be  conceived  to  create  alarm  and 
shake  the  confidence  of  the  people  in  General  Grant.  Lead 
ing  Republicans  in  the  House  and  Senate  allied  themselves 
with  the  friends  of  Grant  or  Elaine.  So  intense  was  the 
excitement  before  the  holidays  that  Conkling,  Cameron,  and 
Logan  were  called  "The  Triumvirate"  because  of  their  activi 
ties  in  the  States  they  represented  in  the  United  States  Senate. 

Generally  the  month  of  December  had  very  little  of  interest 
beyond  the  usual  routine  of  calls  and  the  constant  employ 
ment  of  writing  political  letters.  There  was  very  little  done 
in  the  House  or  Senate,  as  almost  all  the  time  was  devoted 
to  political  rivalries  over  the  nominations  for  President  and 
Vice-President  for  1880.  Congress  adjourned  early  for  the 
holidays,  but,  as  usual,  we  remained  in  Washington.  There 
were  not  in  those  days  so  many  opportunities  for  members  of 
Congress  and  senators  to  enjoy  their  holidays  by  trips  to 
Cuba,  Bermuda,  Panama,  and  other  places  which  have  been 
made  so  accessible  in  these  days  of  progress.  Besides  this, 
General  Logan  always  took  advantage  of  what  they  called 
the  "holidays"  to  bring  up  to  date  his  reports  on  cases  before 
the  important  committees  on  which  he  served. 

One  of  the  most  brilliant  receptions  ever  held  in  the  White 
House  took  place  January  i,  1880.  Mrs.  Hayes  had  done 
me  the  honor  to  invite  me  to  assist  in  receiving  on  that  day, 
and,  as  we  had  to  reach  the  White  House  at  ten  o'clock,  I 
arose  at  a  very  early  hour  to  make  the  necessary  prepara 
tions.  The  General,  of  course,  joined  the  senators,  and  I  had 
to  go  to  the  White  House  alone  to  be  there  before  the  forming 


392  REMINISCENCES  OF 

of  the  receiving-line  for  the  reception.  The  unpretentious 
and  modest  receiving  costume  which  Mrs.  Hayes  wore  at  her 
first  New  Year's  reception  at  the  White  House  had  been  laid 
aside.  She  was  beautifully  gowned  in  a  white-silk  costume 
brocaded  in  gold  figures  and  trimmed  with  beautiful  lace. 
It  was,  indeed,  a  fitting  gown  for  such  an  occasion,  and  was 
most  becoming  to  Mrs.  Hayes,  with  her  glorious  black  hair 
and  eyes.  The  diplomats  were  gorgeous  in  their  uniforms, 
and  the  breasts  of  some  of  them  were  almost  completely  cov 
ered  with  magnificent  medals  studded  with  precious  stones, 
while  the  ladies  accompanying  them  were  attired  in  the  rich 
est  possible  costumes. 

The  wives  of  the  members  of  the  cabinet  were  very  retiring, 
unpretentious,  modest  women  whose  costumes  attracted  very 
little  attention,  and  were  usually  of  a  correspondingly  quiet 
character.  Mrs.  William  M.  Evarts  was  a  motherly,  gracious 
woman  whose  dress  was  always  of  the  plainest  possible  type. 
She  seemingly  ignored  the  fiat  that  a  person  in  certain  posi 
tions  should  be  richly  gowned  even  if  she  wishes  to  observe 
the  simplest  style.  Mrs.  John  Sherman  was  a  lovely  character, 
but  she  had  very  little  interest  in  social  affairs.  While  she 
could  have  boasted  of  a  wardrobe  worthy  of  the  high  position 
she  occupied,  her  costumes  were  more  simple  than  elegant. 
Mrs.  George  B.  McCrary  enjoyed  her  position  as  wife  of  the 
Secretary  of  War  more  enthusiastically  than  any  lady  whose 
husband  has  ever  occupied  this  exalted  position.  The  Mc- 
Crarys  were  from  Iowa,  and  Mrs.  McCrary  had  about  her  all 
the  breeziness  of  that  Western  State.  She  was  a  blonde,  with 
blue  eyes  and  fair  complexion,  and  wore  at  all  times  the  lightest 
possible  colors.  She  had  at  her  command  a  vocabulary  of 
slang  which  she  used  sometimes  very  effectively,  and  she  was 
reckless  in  her  criticism  of  Grant  and  his  administration.  Mrs. 
Key,  wife  of  the  Postmaster-General,  was  a  delightful  woman 
and  a  great  acquisition  on  New  Year's  Day  on  account  of 
her  brilliant  conversational  powers.  She  had  three  very  in- 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  393 

teresting  daughters,  and  their  Wednesday  receptions  in  their 
own  home  were  the  most  agreeable  of  any  of  the  cabinet  on 
account  of  the  genuine  cordiality  and  hospitality  they  ex 
tended  to  all  callers.  Mrs.  Carl  Schurz,  wife  of  the  Secretary 
of  the  Interior,  was  one  of  the  most  delightful  women  ever 
in  Washington.  She  was  very  stately  and  highly  cultivated. 
Mrs.  Schurz  had  a  keen  appreciation  of  her  position  and  was 
always  beautifully  dressed,  but  sometimes  greatly  disturbed 
by  the  lack  of  dignity  on  the  part  of  the  ladies  invited  to  as 
sist  in  receptions  and  the  rudeness  of  some  of  the  callers. 
Attorney- General  Charles  A.  Devens  was  one  of  the  most  dis 
tinguished  men  ever  in  the  cabinet.  He  was  a  bachelor  and 
was  from  Boston,  Massachusetts,  a  man  of  rare  ability  and 
culture.  The  agricultural  bureau  was  in  those  days  a  branch 
of  the  Interior  Department,  and  thus  was  not  of  the  cabinet 
as  to-day. 

As  usual,  New  Year's  Day  was  the  beginning  of  the  round  of 
social  functions  including  receptions,  luncheons,  and  dinners  by 
officials  and  prominent  citizens  of  Washington.  On  January 
22  General  Logan  and  I  attended  a  state  dinner  at  the  White 
House,  and,  while  much  has  been  said  about  the  economy 
of  President  Hayes,  there  was  no  evidence  of  lack  of  liber 
ality  in  the  appointments  of  the  dinner.  There  were  thirty- 
six  guests  and  the  table  never  looked  more  resplendent  than 
it  did  on  that  occasion.  The  wonderful  set  of  china  which 
Mrs.  Hayes  had  caused  to  be  made,  illustrating  the  fauna  and 
flora  of  the  United  States,  executed  by  Theodore  Davis,  was 
a  most  artistic  piece  of  work,  and  it  is  to  be  regretted  that 
this  magnificent  set  is  no  longer  in  use  at  the  White  House. 
I  have  never  seen  a  greater  profusion  of  flowers  than  there 
was  at  the  state  dinners  and  receptions  in  Mrs.  Hayes's  time. 
Every  room  on  the  first  floor  of  the  executive  mansion  was  in 
each  instance  beautifully  decorated,  and  the  windows  which 
formerly  connected  the  greenhouse  with  the  state  dining-room 
were  always  thrown  open  and  the  conservatory  brightly  lighted 


394  REMINISCENCES  OF 

so  that  the  guests  could  not  only  enjoy  the  floral  decorations 
in  the  mansion,  but  could  look  across  at  the  profusion  of 
flowers  which  were  kept  continually  on  the  benches  of  the 
conservatory  and  throughout  the  White  House.  Mr.  Pfister 
had  been  installed  in  the  White  House  by  Mrs.  Hayes, 
who  knew  him  in  Ohio,  and  brought  him  here  as  White 
House  gardener,  and  a  better  selection  could  not  possibly  have 
been  made.  I  remember  that  Mr.  John  Sherman  was  my 
escort  on  that  occasion,  and,  though  known  as  a  frigid  man, 
he  was,  when  he  wished  to  make  himself  agreeable,  one  of  the 
most  delightful  of  dinner  escorts.  He  had  been  so  long  in  the 
public  service  and  was  so  thoroughly  acquainted  with  all  the 
important  events  in  the  history  of  our  country  that  it  was  a 
privilege  to  listen  to  his  conversation. 

Between  making  and  receiving  calls,  and  dictating  and 
writing  about  forty  letters  a  day  to  various  people  in  the  dif 
ferent  States  in  his  efforts  to  advance  the  interest  of  General 
Grant's  nomination  for  the  Presidency  at  the  convention  to 
be  held  in  May,  General  Logan  and  I  were  kept  busy  day  and 
night.  The  intervening  months  were  devoted  to  the  election 
of  delegates  in  all  the  States;  and  I  may  be  mistaken,  but  I 
think  that  more  attention  was  devoted  to  the  character  of 
these  delegates  than  is  done  at  the  present  time. 

On  my  own  Thursdays  at  home  during  this  winter  the 
callers  were  numerous,  including  such  well-known  people  as 
Vinnie  Ream,  the  sculptor  (now  Mrs.  Hoxie,  wife  of  General 
Hoxie);  Mary  Clemmer  Ames,  Mrs.  Claflin,  Mrs.  Ramsay, 
Mrs.  James  G.  Elaine,  the  wife  of  the  German  ambassador, 
wives  of  members  of  the  Supreme  Court,  cabinet,  Senate, 
House  of  Representatives,  and  many  others.  On  Saturday, 
February  7,  we  went  to  Mrs.  Hayes's  last  Saturday-afternoon 
reception.  We  were  courteously  escorted  by  one  of  the  ushers 
through  the  blue  room  by  a  circuitous  route,  and  enjoyed  see 
ing  the  stirring  masses  of  people  surge  through  the  rooms.  On 
February  9  we  went  to  the  reception  tendered  by  the  Mexi- 


A   SOLDIER'S  WIFE  395 

can  minister,  Senor  Zamacona,  and  his  wife  to  President  and 
Sefiora  Diaz,  of  Mexico,  who  were  visiting  Washington.  The 
costumes  were  superb.  The  ballroom — a  marquee  with  a 
glass  roof  built  especially  for  the  occasion — was  beautifully 
decorated  with  exotics.  A  long  canvas  extending  nearly  the 
length  of  the  room,  upon  which  was  portrayed  a  view  of 
Chapul tepee,  attracted  universal  attention.  On  the  loth  of 
February  we  attended  the  reception  to  the  foreign  legations 
given  at  the  White  House.  The  decorations,  refreshments, 
and  every  appointment  of  the  reception  were  superb.  In 
March  our  young  son,  John  A.  Logan,  second,  attended  Ma- 
rini's  annual  fancy-dress  ball  and  had  as  his  partner  Fanny 
Hayes,  daughter  of  the  President  and  Mrs.  Hayes. 

Early  in  January  General  Logan  began  his  work  on  the 
Fitz-John  Porter  case,  usually  taking  it  up  after  a  seven- 
o'clock  dinner,  he  having  previously  attended  upon  the  ses 
sions  of  Congress  all  day.  It  was  a  most  voluminous  affair, 
and  frequently  we  were  hard  at  work  reading  the  testimony 
and  reports  of  the  court  martial  which  had  been  held  during 
the  war,  the  original  findings  of  which  sentenced  General  Fitz- 
John  Porter  to  be  shot.  Mr.  Lincoln's  great  heart  recoiled 
at  the  thought  of  executing  Porter,  and  he  sent  for  the  emi 
nent  lawyer  Leonard  Swett,  of  Chicago,  to  come  and  stay 
in  the  White  House,  to  see  if  it  were  not  possible  for  him  to 
find  some  way  by  which  he  might  change  the  findings  of  the 
court  martial.  Lincoln  wished  to  spare  Porter's  life,  but  to 
inflict  such  punishment  as  would  satisfy  the  friends  of  the 
many  men  who  had  been  sacrificed  on  account  of  Fitz-John 
Porter's  alleged  failure  to  obey  orders  and  disloyalty  to  Pope. 

Mr.  Lincoln  decided  that  this  would  be  severe  enough  and 
returned  the  case  to  the  court,  who  finally  came  to  Mr.  Lin 
coln's  recommendation  in  the  matter.  Mr.  Lincoln  signed 
their  second  report,  which  deprived  General  Porter  of  his  rank 
in  the  army  and  its  pay  and  emoluments. 

Fitz-John  Porter  was  a  man  most  prominently  connected, 


396  REMINISCENCES  OF 

and  felt  keenly  the  humiliation  of  his  position,  and  he  and 
his  friends  never  relaxed  for  one  moment  their  efforts  to  set 
aside  this  verdict  of  the  court  martial,  which  had  received 
Mr.  Lincoln's  approval,  hoping  that  as  time  passed  and  many 
of  the  prominent  actors  in  that  tragedy  were  no  more  they 
might  bring  about  the  reinstatement  of  General  Fitz-John 
Porter  to  the  rolls  of  the  army,  and  then  secure  his  honorable 
retirement.  They  had  succeeded  in  having  a  board  of  re 
view,  who  recommended  that  his  petition  be  granted. 

General  Logan  differed  with  the  findings  of  that  board,  and 
considered  that  it  had  been  clearly  established  that  Fitz-John 
Porter  was  responsible  for  the  death  of  hundreds  of  men  at 
the  second  battle  of  Bull  Run,  because  of  his  failure  to  obey 
promptly  the  orders  issued  to  him  by  General  John  Pope, 
who  made  charges  against  him.  General  Logan  felt  that  it 
was  an  injustice  to  the  victims  of  his  blunder  to  allow  him  to 
escape  all  punishment.  He  further  believed  that  Mr.  Lin 
coln,  through  the  legal  advice  of  one  of  the  greatest  lawyers 
of  the  country,  had  exhausted  every  possible  opportunity  for 
the  extension  of  leniency  to  Fitz-John  Porter  and  justice  to 
the  memory  of  the  dead.  General  Logan  believed  that  Mr. 
Lincoln  was  perfectly  conscientious  and  incapable  of  severity. 
If  he  had  erred  at  all,  General  Logan  felt  it  would  have  been 
on  the  side  of  being  too  lenient.  While  he  had  no  personal 
prejudice  against  General  Porter,  he  felt,  nevertheless,  that 
it  would  be  a  bad  precedent  if  General  Porter  were  restored 
to  the  place  on  the  army  list  he  would  have  occupied  if  his 
record  had  been  clear. 

The  reports  of  the  original  court  martial  and  the  board  of 
review  were  most  ponderous  documents.  The  reading  of  the 
testimony  was  a  matter  which  consumed  many  hours,  in  fact 
days  and  weeks,  so  that  society  affairs  had  to  be  for  a  time 
completely  laid  aside  to  enable  me  to  assist  General  Logan  in 
reading  this  evidence  and  marking  that  which  bore  upon  the 
side  of  the  case  which  he  had  taken  up.  Almost  every  night 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  397 

we  worked  until  two  or  three  o'clock  the  following  morning, 
General  Logan  in  the  mean  time  never  failing  to  attend  the 
sessions  of  Congress  or  the  meetings  of  the  committees  of 
which  he  was  a  member,  and  which  usually  met  at  ten  o'clock 
in  the  morning.  He  was  then  chairman  of  the  military  com 
mittee,  second  on  appropriations,  second  on  judiciary,  and 
second  on  privileges  and  elections,  also  a  member  of  the 
committee  on  Indian  affairs. 

On  March  2,  General  Logan  began  his  four  days'  speech  in 
the  Senate  on  the  Fitz-John  Porter  case,  in  which  he  routed 
the  enemy  and  made  Senator  Hill  appear  ridiculous,  also 
discomfited  Senators  Kernan  of  New  York  and  Randolph 
of  New  Jersey.  Among  the  audience  in  the  galleries  sat  Fitz- 
John  Porter  himself,  listening  attentively  to  everything  which 
was  said  for  and  against  the  case.  During  the  four  days  of 
his  speech  General  Logan  returned  home  at  about  six  o'clock 
from  an  exhausting  day  in  the  Senate  and  usually  found  it 
necessary  to  lie  down  for  a  time  to  rest  before  dinner.  Some 
times  as  late  as  nine  o'clock  the  report  of  his  speech  of  that 
day  was  brought  him  from  the  public  printing-office  for  cor 
rection  for  The  Globe,  now  called  The  Congressional  Record. 
On  the  night  of  the  second  day,  while  I  was  reading  aloud  the 
proof  of  this  report  to  him  as  he  lay  on  the  sofa,  he  discovered 
that  the  printers  had  confused  the  evidence  of  the  original 
court  martial,  which  was  taken  from  the  printed  report,  having 
mixed  up  the  leaves  of  the  report  of  the  court  martial,  making 
"A"  swear  what  "B"  had  sworn  and  "B"  swear  what  "A" 
had  sworn.  These  errors,  if  not  corrected,  would  have  placed 
General  Logan  in  a  most  embarrassing  position.  Any  one  who 
has  ever  handled  proof  can  appreciate  what  a  stupendous  job  it 
was  to  get  fresh  reports  and  take  pages  from  the  court  martial 
and  board  of  review  to  be  used  in  the  report  of  General  Logan's 
speech  to  appear  in  The  Globe  of  the  next  day.  Doctor  Ham 
ilton,  then  supervising  surgeon  of  the  Marine  Hospital  service, 
came  in  to  look  after  General  Logan.  He,  fortunately,  had 


398  REMINISCENCES   OF 

been  an  apprentice  in  a  printing-office  when  quite  a  young 
man.  He  found  General  Logan  not  fit  to  do  the  laborious 
work  of  correcting  the  proof  of  the  speech,  and  the  doctor  and 
I  sat  up  all  night  long  correcting  this  evidence,  so  that  it  would 
read  properly  in  the  columns  of  The  Globe.  After  a  brief 
sleep  the  general  arose  quite  early  to  go  over  the  proof  him 
self  to  see  that  it  was  correct,  had  his  breakfast,  was  ready 
to  go  before  his  committee  and  then  take  up  the  discussion 
of  the  Fitz-John  Porter  case  after  the  morning  hour  in  the 
Senate.  Every  night  the  report  of  his  speech  was  brought 
from  the  public  printing-office  and  we  had  to  read  it  aloud  and 
correct  the  proof  for  The  Globe.  The  ten  days  devoted  to  the 
preparation  and  delivery  of  his  argument  in  the  Fitz-John 
Porter  case  was  the  greatest  drain  on  his  nervous  system  and 
the  most  onerous  work  of  his  life.  After  his  speech  it  was  said 
that  it  had  been  clearly  demonstrated  that  Porter  should 
have  been  shot  for  disobedience  of  orders  at  the  battle  of 
Manassas,  August  27  to  29,  1862.  This  speech  occupied 
eight  hundred  and  ninety-one  pages  of  manuscript,  equal  to 
fifty  pages  of  The  Congressional  Record. 

General  Logan's  regular  work  in  the  Senate  was  something 
tremendous,  and  at  the  same  time  he  was  doing  far  more  than 
his  share  of  the  work  in  the  political  campaign.  As  I  look 
back  upon  it  now,  it  seems  to  me  to  be  incredible  that  one 
man  could  have  performed  the  amount  of  work  he  did  during 
the  whole  year  of  1880. 

Early  in  April,  Conkling,  Cameron,  Carpenter,  Chandler, 
and  other  Republican  senators  with  whom  General  Logan  was 
co-operating,  decided  that  so  much  agitation  for  Elaine  was 
going  on  in  Illinois  as  to  make  it  necessary  for  General  Logan 
to  go  to  Chicago  to  do  what  he  could  to  prevent  the  Elaine 
element  from  capturing  the  delegates  for  the  national  con 
vention  which  was  to  be  held  in  June. 

The  Illinois  State  convention  of  1880  was  the  most  remark 
able  one  in  the  history  of  the  State.  A  majority  of  the  peo- 


A   SOLDIER'S  WIFE  399 

pie  strongly  favored  Grant's  nomination,  but  through  sur 
reptitious  means  Elaine's  agents  had  succeeded  in  procuring 
the  active  support  of  James  P.  Root,  secretary  of  the  State 
central  committee,  who  was  well  known  as  an  expert  manip 
ulator  in  political  affairs.  He  had  been  clandestinely  occupied 
for  months  proselytizing  leading  Republicans  in  different  parts 
of  the  State  in  favor  of  James  G.  Elaine.  Root  and  his  em 
ployees  had  created  an  enthusiasm  for  the  "plumed  knight" 
on  a  purely  fictitious  basis  which  was  incomprehensible.  Mr. 
Elaine  was  never  the  author  or  the  leader  in  the  advocacy  of 
any  measure  for  the  public  welfare.  There  is  no  evidence  in 
the  records  of  Congress  that  he  ever  at  any  time  took  the 
initiative  in  the  solution  of  any  vexed  problem  in  national 
affairs,  his  greatest  services  to  his  country  consisting,  emi 
nently,  in  his  wonderful  diplomacy  as  an  executive  officer  of 
the  Government.  At  the  time  of  his  candidacy  for  the  Presi 
dency  in  1880,  his  record  was  unenviable  and  would  have 
deterred  most  men  from  seeking  a  nomination  that  would 
unavoidably  lead  to  a  revival  of  the  scandals  that  cost  him 
such  a  bitter  experience  before  the  national  convention  in 
1876.  His  popularity  could  only  be  explained  on  the  ground 
of  his  incomparable  suavity  of  manner,  brilliancy  of  intel 
lect,  marvellous  memory,  dashing  alertness  in  taking  advan 
tage  of  individuals  and  situations,  daring  in  political  dis 
cussions,  and  his  matchless  diplomacy  in  utilizing  every 
opportunity  to  advance  his  own  political  fortunes.  These 
qualities  drew  about  him  friends  who  were  ready  to  serve 
him  to  the  bitter  end  in  his  overweening  ambitions. 

When  the  State  convention  met  it  seemed  impossible  to 
turn  the  tide  from  Elaine,  and  if  General  Logan  had  not  been 
on  the  ground  the  convention  would  have  been  instructed  for 
Elaine.  Through  General  Logan's  appeal  and  skilful  man 
agement,  Grant  delegates  were  elected  and  instructed.  Root, 
as  secretary  of  the  State  central  committee,  issued  to  General 
Logan  and  nine  other  delegates  " provisional  tickets"  of  ad- 


400  REMINISCENCES   OF 

mission  to  the  national  convention.  Root's  plan  was  to 
cause  in  some  way  the  credentials  committee  of  the  national 
convention  to  decide  against  General  Logan  and  the  nine 
other  Illinois  delegates  being  seated  as  delegates  in  the  con 
vention.  General  Logan  was  never  so  insulted  during  his 
whole  political  experience — an  insult  he  would  have  resented 
had  he  not  known  that  he  could  make  better  use  of  it  in  effect 
ing  Mr.  Root's  discomfiture  and  the  defeat  of  his  followers. 
The  credentials  committee  shared  General  Logan's  indigna 
tion  at  the  action  of  Root,  and  accorded  to  General  Logan  and 
the  discredited  nine  others  every  consideration. 

Before  going  to  Chicago  General  Logan  had  succeeded  in 
obtaining  a  valuable  list  of  names  from  every  part  of  the 
State.  He  dictated  notes  from  which  I  was  to  write  letters 
to  each  of  these  men  and  forward  to  him  the  unsigned  letters 
with  an  addressed  envelope  for  each.  Mr.  Daniel  Shepherd, 
then  secretary  of  the  Senate  military  committee,  was  to  for 
ward  the  letters  after  General  Logan  had  read  and  signed 
them.  After  he  had  reached  Chicago  and  entered  earnestly 
into  the  fight,  General  Logan  continued  to  send  me  lists  and 
directions  as  to  what  to  write.  By  reference  to  my  diary  I 
find  that  with  the  help  of  Miss  Woodruff,  our  stenographer, 
we  wrote  on  an  average  about  fifty  letters  per  day  from 
the  time  General  Logan  went  to  Chicago  until  after  the  State 
convention.  I  hunted  up  also  much  information  in  the  Con 
gressional  Library  and  from  The  Globe.  I  was  busy  all  the 
time  with  matters  which  then  seemed  important,  and  which 
I  now  realize  were  vital  and  were  a  training  which  has  been 
of  incalculable  value  to  me  during  the  years  since  those 
eventful  political  times. 

On  May  22,  after  obtaining  a  suitable  wardrobe,  on  the 
invitation  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  J.  Donald  Cameron,  I  accompanied 
them  to  Harrisburg,  to  make  a  visit  as  I  went  to  join  my 
husband  in  Chicago.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cameron  were  then 
staying  in  the  home  of  Senator  Cameron's  father,  Hon.  Simon 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  401 

Cameron,  at  their  quaint  old  home,  formerly  that  of  Gov 
ernor  Harris  of  Pennsylvania.  It  was  situated  almost  on  the 
edge  of  the  west  shore  of  the  Susquehanna  River.  Governor 
Harris's  grave,  enclosed  by  an  iron  fence,  is  located  on  a  plot 
between  the  entrance  to  the  Cameron  mansion  and  the  river, 
and  can  be  seen  by  travellers  on  the  Pennsylvania  road  as 
they  approach  the  west  end  of  the  bridge  over  the  river.  Mrs. 
Cameron,  Sr.,  and  her  venerable  husband  had  lived  at 
Willard's  at  the  same  time  as  we  did  when  we  went  to  Wash 
ington  in  1867.  We  were  intimate  friends,  General  Logan 
being  a  special  favorite  of  " Father  Cameron's."  They  took 
me  out  to  Lochiel,  the  home  of  Senator  J.  Donald  Cameron, 
at  that  time  one  of  the  show-places  of  the  country.  It  was 
one  of  the  most  charming  places  on  the  banks  of  the  Sus 
quehanna  River.  No  more  lovely  spot  could  be  found,  with 
its  perfection  of  natural  beauty  and  the  highest  art  of  cul 
tivation  combined. 

At  three  P.  M.,  May  24,  we  boarded  a  director's  car,  used 
as  such  by  Senator  Cameron  on  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad. 
In  the  party  were  Senator  and  Mrs.  Cameron  (nee  Miss  Eliz 
abeth  Sherman,  niece  of  Senator  John  Sherman),  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  L.  P.  Morton,  Miss  Emily  Beale  (the  late  Mrs.  John 
R.  McLean,  and  myself.  At  Pittsburg  we  were  joined  by 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  " Chris"  Magee,  one  of  Senator  Cameron's 
important  political  workers.  The  journey  was  delightful, 
every  member  of  the  party  being  in  fine  spirits.  Senator 
Cameron  was  a  lavishly  hospitable  host,  and  we  had  every 
luxury  that  could  be  procured.  The  scenery  was  enchanting, 
as  every  traveller  over  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad  knows. 
We  arrived  in  Chicago  at  four  o'clock  p.  M.  Tuesday,  May  25. 
General  Logan  had  been  staying  in  the  Palmer  House,  then 
the  Grant  headquarters,  and  we  were  soon  alone  in  the  suite 
we  were  to  occupy  till  the  convention  was  over.  He  told 
me  of  all  his  doubts  and  fears,  hopes  and  plans.  We  had 
little  opportunity  for  being  by  ourselves  for  the  next  ten  days, 


402  REMINISCENCES  OF 

as  conferences  were  constantly  going  on  between  the  leaders 
of  the  Grant  wing.  Rumors  and  proofs  of  disaffection  and 
also  of  gains  from  various  quarters  were  constantly  being 
brought  in.  The  mercurial  temperaments  of  individuals 
had  to  be  endured,  cured,  or  handled  with  diplomacy.  Many 
delegates  and  their  friends  were  around  with  their  open  palms 
behind  them,  hoping  and  praying  for  their  hands  to  be  filled. 
Ambitious  place-seekers  were  more  numerous  and  insufferable. 
The  former  could  be  disposed  of  by  skilful  diplomacy  and 
would  go  away  empty-handed,  but  the  latter  were  insinu 
ating  and  disgusting.  "Fool"  friends  were  exasperating  by 
their  blunders  in  undoing  something  that  had  required  time 
and  patience  to  accomplish. 

To  add  to  the  insufferable  confusion  and  trying  experi 
ence  of  every  one  however  remotely  connected  with  the  con 
vention,  legions  of  men  and  women  began  an  irrepressible 
clamor  for  tickets  of  admission  to  the  convention.  Mr.  J.  P. 
Root  still  had  control  of  this  important  matter,  and  it  was 
almost  impossible  for  any  one  supposed  to  favor  Grant's 
nomination  to  get  one  for  himself  or  his  friends.  General 
Logan  had  to  avoid  contact  with  the  suppliants  for  tickets,  as 
he  could  do  nothing  for  them  and  could  not  endure  the  ordeal 
of  listening  to  their  pleas  when  he  was  unable  to  comply  with 
their  requests.  There  was  no  alternative  but  for  me  to  see 
them  and  explain  the  situation.  Not  infrequently  the  ex 
planation  I  was  able  to  give  only  served  to  intensify  the  bit 
terness  they  felt  toward  Root  on  account  of  his  treatment 
of  General  Logan. 

When  the  convention  met  at  ten  A.  M.  Wednesday,  June  2, 
the  fruits  of  Mr.  Root's  labor  were  evident,  in  the  fact  that 
the  galleries  were  packed  for  Elaine,  the  clackers  losing  no 
opportunity  to  start  a  Elaine  storm  in  obedience  to  their 
orders.  The  first  session  was  very  brief.  Senator  Cameron, 
chairman  of  the  national  committee,  called  the  convention 
to  order.  Reverend  Doctor  Edwards  invoked  a  blessing  upon 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  403 

the  convention  in  an  earnest  prayer.  Mr.  Hoar,  of  Massa 
chusetts,  was  made  temporary  chairman,  the  committee  on 
credentials  was  appointed,  and  the  convention  adjourned 
until  ten  A.  M.  the  following  morning. 

The  convention  met  at  ten  A.  M.  every  day,  but  not  until 
five  P.  M.  on  the  third  day  did  the  credentials  committee  make 
its  report,  amid  the  wildest  demonstrations — shouting,  clap 
ping  of  hands,  waving  of  hats,  handkerchiefs,  and  flags,  on 
the  floor  and  in  the  galleries.  After  the  report  the  con 
vention  adjourned  until  eight  p.  M.  On  assembling  at  that 
hour  the  nominations  began.  The  crowd,  if  possible,  was 
greater  than  ever,  and  the  hall  was  literally  packed  almost 
to  suffocation.  As  soon  as  quiet  reigned,  Roscoe  Conkling 
arose  in  his  place  and  began  his  speech  with  the  oft-repeated: 

"And  when  asked  what  State  he  hails  from 
Our  sole  reply  shall  be, 
He  hails  from  Appomattox, 
And  its  famous  apple-tree." 

This  simply  electrified  the  whole  audience,  bringing  forth  a 
whirlwind  of  applause.  It  was  some  minutes  before  he  could 
proceed  with  his  matchless  speech,  which  in  eloquence,  perfect 
diction,  and  finished  style  was  incomparable,  and  the  like  of 
it  will  not  be  heard  again.  Many,  however,  thought  it  was  too 
well  prepared  and  too  soulless  in  its  delivery. 

A  rousing  speech  that  touched  the  hearts  of  men  would 
have  been  far  more  effective,  though  it  might  have  been 
punctuated  with  numberless  grammatical  errors  and  mis 
pronounced  words.  Soul-inspired  utterances  bring  soulful 
responses.  Senator  Conkling's  speech,  though  a  literary  and 
oratorical  triumph,  lacked  the  fire  and  enthusiasm  of  a  big 
heart  overflowing  with  genuine  love  of  mankind,  and  there 
fore  did  little  to  advance  the  cause  of  his  hero,  General  Grant. 
Bradley,  of  Kentucky,  seconded  the  nomination  in  a  speech  in 
striking  contrast  in  style  and  delivery  to  that  of  Senator 


404  REMINISCENCES  OF 

Conkling,  which  was  equally  fruitless  in  its  effect  upon  the 
convention.  Mr.  Joy,  of  Michigan,  a  man  well  known  as 
a  railroad  magnate,  nominated  Mr.  Elaine.  It  would  have 
been  a  fine  speech  before  a  board  of  directors,  but,  from  ap 
pearances,  the  convention  was  unmoved  by  it. 

The  consummate  politician  of  the  convention  was  James  A. 
Garfield  of  Ohio.  From  the  time  of  assembling  it  was 
evident  to  close  observers  that  neither  of  the  prominent  can 
didates  could  be  nominated.  General  Garfield,  beyond  ques 
tion,  had  arrived  at  that  conclusion  and  was  the  wise  man 
of  the  hour.  He  had  been  chosen  to  nominate  John  Sherman 
of  Ohio.  Before  the  convention  had  reached  the  hour  for 
nominations,  General  Garfield  had  managed  to  make  himself 
the  "dark  horse."  At  every  session  after  his  delegation  had 
been  seated  he  came  in  alone,  walking  down  the  main  aisle 
in  stately  dignity,  smiling  and  bowing  to  acquaintances  among 
the  delegates.  In  an  assemblage  of  so  many  thousands  of 
people  waiting  breathlessly  for  momentous  events,  it  was 
easy  to  start  a  cheer  for  anything  or  anybody.  So  every 
time  General  Garfield  appeared  some  one  in  the  gallery 
shouted  " Garfield!"  "Garfield!"  the  refrain  being  repeated 
first  by  a  score  of  shouters  and  later  by  increasing  numbers. 
Sitting  in  the  gallery  by  Mrs.  Chauncey  I.  Filley  of  Saint 
Louis,  whose  husband  was  on  the  national  committee,  I  sug 
gested  that  we  should  watch  the  Garfield  by-play,  which  was 
apparently  growing  at  every  session. 

The  moment  the  nomination  of  Sherman  was  in  order  Gen 
eral  Garfield  arose  with  a  ministerial  air  and  began  the  dis 
charge  of  a  duty  imposed  upon  him  by  Ohio  Republicans  in 
a  speech  colder  toward  Sherman  than  Sherman's  own  frig 
id  temperament.  Every  brilliant  phrase  used  by  Garfield 
spelled  "Garfield"  when  he  mentioned  Sherman  as  an  eligi 
ble  nominee  for  the  Presidency.  Almost  every  one  detected 
the  betrayal  of  Sherman,  of  which  Garfield  was  openly  ac 
cused  by  Sherman  and  his  friends.  Garfield  had  succeeded 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  405 

in  accomplishing  his  purpose  and  was  destined  to  win  the 
nomination. 

The  nomination  of  Hon.  E.  B.  Washburne  fell  flat,  as  it 
had  been  understood  that  Mr.  Washburne  was  an  ardent  sup 
porter  of  General  Grant.  General  Logan  had  discovered  be 
fore  the  meeting  that  Mr.  Washburne  had  approached  some 
of  General  Grant's  friends,  asking  to  have  the  Grant  support 
if  General  Grant  failed  in  being  nominated.  Washburne  was 
unable  to  show  that  he  had  any  strength  outside  of  Grant's 
followers.  In  addition  to  this,  Mr.  Washburne  provoked 
much  criticism  because  of  the  discovery  of  his  efforts  to  utilize 
Grant's  strength  in  the  convention  for  himself.  Hence, 
when  he  actually  allowed  his  name  to  be  presented,  there  was 
no  response. 

Overtures  were  made  daily  to  General  Logan  urging  him 
to  allow  his  name  to  be  substituted  for  Grant's,  and  there 
is  no  doubt  but  that  when  it  was  discovered  that  Grant  could 
not  be  nominated  on  account  of  the  third-term  cry,  General 
Logan  could  have  carried  the  nomination.  He  scorned  the 
suggestion  and  could  not  see  it  in  any  other  light  than  that 
it  would  be  treachery  to  Grant.  He  preferred  to  go  down 
with  Grant  rather  than  even  seemingly  to  betray  him. 

It  was  midnight  before  the  nominations  were  all  made, 
and  the  convention  adjourned  until  ten  A.  M.  the  following 
morning,  when  the  balloting  began.  The  balloting  began  on 
June  7,  and  continued  for  three  days,  with  the  most  remark 
able  demonstrations  and  outbursts  of  enthusiasm  that  had 
ever  been  witnessed  in  a  national  convention. 

After  the  convention  had  been  in  session  for  more  than  a 
week  everybody  was  worn  out  and  longed  for  relief.  The  dead 
lock  was  finally  broken,  and  James  A.  Garfield  and  Chester 
A.  Arthur  were  nominated.  The  disappointed  and  defeated 
men  bravely  made  the  nomination  unanimous,  and  the  his 
toric  convention  adjourned  sine  die.  The  vast  concourse  of 
people  dispersed  almost  in  a  twinkling.  The  national  com- 


4o6  REMINISCENCES  OF 

mittee,  a  majority  of  whom  had  supported  Grant,  took  up 
the  stupendous  work  of  planning  the  campaign  and  electing 
the  nominees.  On  the  national  committee,  besides  Mr.  Cam 
eron,  chairman,  there  were  John  C.  New,  Chauncey  I.  Filley 
of  Missouri,  General  Powell  Clayton  of  Arkansas,  " Chris" 
Magee  of  Pennsylvania,  and  other  equally  stalwart  men. 
Of  the  five  named,  three  have  passed  to  their  reward.  Gen 
eral  Logan  was  assigned  to  make  speeches  in  Maine,  New 
York,  Indiana,  Ohio,  Illinois,  Nebraska,  and  Kansas  between 
the  adjournment  of  Congress  and  the  election,  November  2. 

Mr.  Cameron  being  chairman  of  the  national  committee, 
we  were  unable  to  leave  Chicago  until  four  p.  M.  on  the  after 
noon  of  the  loth.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Morton,  Miss  Beale,  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Cameron,  General  Logan,  and  I  again  boarded  Mr. 
Cameron's  private  car  to  make  the  return  trip  to  Washing 
ton.  Considering  the  painful  disappointment  which  had 
come  to  all  of  us  over  the  defeat  of  General  Grant,  we  tried 
to  be  as  merry  as  possible,  Mr.  Cameron  and  General  Logan 
magnanimously  endeavoring  to  work  up  for  Garfield  an  en 
thusiasm  which  they  did  not  feel,  intending,  of  course,  to  do 
everything  they  possibly  could  to  secure  his  election.  We 
had  a  delightful  trip  to  Harrisburg,  where  we  stopped  over 
for  a  day  or  two  at  "Father  Cameron's." 

It  was  fearfully  hot  in  tropical  Washington  in  June.  We 
were  glad,  however,  to  be  away  from  the  turmoil  and  excite 
ment  in  Chicago  and  were  again  established  in  our  comfort 
able  quarters  at  812  Twelfth  Street.  General  Logan  returned 
to  his  duties  in  the  Senate,  and  I  busied  myself  with  the  corre 
spondence  and  many  other  things  that  had  to  be  disposed  of 
before  adjournment.  After  Congress  adjourned,  General 
Logan  went  directly  to  New  York  to  meet  Garfield  and  the 
Republicans,  and  I  returned  to  Chicago  to  await  the  general's 
home-coming  before  beginning  the  long  list  of  appointments 
the  committee  had  made  for  him.  From  July  i  to  Novem 
ber  2,  General  Logan  was  canvassing  almost  every  day, 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  407 

many  times  making  three,  four,  and  five  speeches  a  day  from 
the  platform  of  a  special  car  which  they  used  in  going  from 
place  to  place  in  filling  his  appointments.  It  was  unfortu 
nate  that  it  took  Mr.  Conkling  a  long  time  to  be  reconciled 
to  the  nomination  of  Garfield  and  defeat  of  General  Grant. 
His  delay  in  making  an  earnest  effort  for  the  election  of  the 
ticket  prevented  him  from  accomplishing  all  he  might  had 
he  more  promptly  indorsed  Garfield  and  Arthur's  nomina 
tion.  As  Senator  Cameron  was  not  a  public  speaker,  the 
brunt  of  the  indorsement  of  Garfield  by  the  Grant  men  fell 
on  General  Logan.  He  acquitted  himself  nobly,  as  always, 
in  his  earnest  advocacy  of  Garfield's  election,  many  times 
addressing  multitudes  when  he  was  physically  unable  to  do 
so.  Be  it  said  to  the  everlasting  credit  of  General  Grant,  that 
he,  though  in  no  sense  a  public  speaker,  appeared  at  many 
meetings  and  said  a  few  words  in  commendation  of  the  ticket. 
Probably  the  largest  meeting  and  the  most  important  one  of 
the  whole  campaign  was  that  held  in  Warren,  Ohio,  when  a 
desperate  effort  was  made  to  induce  Mr.  Conkling  to  appear 
with  General  Grant,  thus  committing  himself  to  the  support  of 
Garfield  and  Arthur.  This  Conkling  could  not  be  induced 
to  do.  General  Grant  delighted  the  crowd  by  his  cordial 
greeting  to  them  and  his  acknowledgment  of  the  honors  he 
had  received  from  the  Republican  party. 

There  were  forebodings  from  time  to  time  that  the  ticket 
might  not  be  elected,  but  the  Republicans  were  much  en 
couraged  by  the  victories  of  the  October  elections,  and  every 
one  rejoiced  when  they  read  the  returns  of  the  election  of 
November  2,  1880,  which  made  James  A.  Garfield  President 
and  Chester  A.  Arthur  Vice-President  of  the  United  States. 

We  returned  to  Washington,  and,  though  still  much  ex 
hausted  from  the  labors  of  the  campaign,  General  Logan 
began  his  usual  treadmill  duties  in  the  Senate.  There  were 
many  agreeable  social  features  in  December,  General  and 
Mrs.  Grant  making  a  visit  to  Washington  in  that  month. 


408  A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE 

President  Hayes  gave  a  magnificent  dinner  in  their  honor, 
which  General  Logan  and  I  attended.  A  curious  list  of 
guests  had  been  invited  to  meet  the  General  and  Mrs.  Grant, 
Chief  Justice  Waite  and  General  Logan  being  the  only  two 
who  had  not  in  one  way  or  another  antagonized  General 
Grant  and  opposed  his  nomination  at  Chicago.  General  and 
Mrs.  Edward  Beale,  lifelong  friends  of  the  Grants,  enter 
tained  them  during  this  visit  to  Washington  and  gave,  the 
morning  after  the  White  House  dinner,  a  superb  breakfast 
in  their  honor,  to  which  were  invited  all  the  loyal  friends  of 
General  Grant. 

Before  the  adjournment  of  Congress  there  was  as  much 
discussion  as  to  who  would  be  in  Garfield's  cabinet  as  we 
heard  recently  about  the  prospective  members  of  the  cabinet 
of  President  Wilson.  On  account  of  the  disaffection  existing 
in  the  Republican  party  there  was  much  fear  that,  by  the  ap 
pointment  of  his  cabinet,  Garfield  might  widen  the  breach 
already  existing. 


CHAPTER  XVI 

INAUGURATION  OF  GENERAL  GARFIELD  —  RUPTURE  BETWEEN  THE 
ADMINISTRATION  AND  SENATOR  CONKLING  —  ASSASSINATION 
OF  THE  PRESIDENT  —  ADMIRABLE  CHARACTER  OF  PRESIDENT 
ARTHUR'S  ENTERTAINMENTS  —  VISIT  OF  FRENCH  AND  GERMAN 

OFFICERS  —  GARFIELD     MEMORIAL    MEETING     OF     CONGRESS  - 
CAMPAIGN   OF    1884  —  NOMINATION    OF    ELAINE    AND   LOGAN  - 
ACTIVITY  OF  GENERAL  LOGAN  ON  THE  STUMP  —  HIS  RETURN  TO 
THE  SENATE  —  ENTHUSIASTIC  RECEPTION  AT  SAN  FRANCISCO  — 
DEATH    OF    GENERAL    LOGAN,    DECEMBER    26,    1 886  —  FUNERAL 
HONORS    PAID    TO    HIM  —  MARRIAGE    OF    OUR    SON  —  I    GO    TO 
EUROPE  —  OUR   STAY  IN   BERLIN  AND   SUBSEQUENT   EUROPEAN 
TRAVEL  —  A   SECOND   TRIP   ABROAD  —  DEATH   OF   MAJOR   JOHN 
A.    LOGAN,    JR.,    IN    THE    PHILIPPINES  —  STATUES    OF  GENERAL 
LOGAN  —  RECENT   ACTIVITIES 

GENERAL  LOGAN  was  much  exhausted  by  the  labors  of  the 
campaign  of  1880,  and  had  not  fully  recovered  when  we  came 
to  Washington  for  the  convening  of  Congress  in  December 
of  that  year.  When  we  arrived  we  found  many  of  our  old 
friends  at  Mrs.  Rhine's.  The  month  of  December  until  the 
time  of  the  adjournment  of  Congress  for  the  holidays  was  a 
busy  one  socially  and  politically.  The  usual  forebodings  and 
anxiety  of  persons  occupying  appointive  official  positions  and 
employees  of  the  Government  as  to  their  fate  in  a  change  of 
administration  made  them  active  in  trying  to  secure  influence 
which  would  help  them  retain  their  positions.  Another  class 
who  felt  they  had  contributed  to  the  election  of  Garfield  and 
Arthur  were  equally  impetuous  in  their  efforts  to  secure  ap 
pointments  or  employment. 

Intense  interest  was  aroused  as  to  whom  Garfield  would 
select  as  cabinet  officers.  There  was  a  particular  desire  to 
have  Mr.  Conkling  return  to  the  Republican  fold  that  he 

409 


410  REMINISCENCES   OF 

might  be  counted  upon  to  help  carry  out  the  policy  of  that 
party.  Mr.  Conkling's  prejudices  were  very  strong  when 
he  was  against  a  man.  He  personally  disliked  Garfield,  whom 
he  accused  of  duplicity  on  several  occasions  when  the  Repub 
lican  party  had  to  hold  confidential  conferences  to  be  sure 
of  Garfield's  attitude  toward  certain  important  measures. 

The  inauguration  was,  as  so  often  has  been  the  case,  seri 
ously  marred  by  inclement  weather.  General  Sherman  was 
chief  marshal  of  the  procession  and  the  whole  parade  moved 
with  clockwork  precision.  Garfield  was  escorted  by  Sena 
tors  Bayard  and  Anthony  with  the  Columbia  Commandery 
Knights  Templar,  of  which  he  was  a  member,  as  a  guard  of 
honor.  Vice-President-elect  Arthur  was  escorted  by  Senator 
Pendleton.  At  the  Senate  chamber  Mrs.  Hayes  and  General 
Garfield's  wife  and  mother  were  conducted  to  reserved  gallery 
seats.  Mrs.  Hayes  wore  a  sealskin  coat  and  a  black  brocaded 
silk  dress.  " Mother"  Garfield  wore  black  silk  trimmed  with 
silver-fox  fur.  Mrs.  Garfield,  wife  of  the  President-elect, 
wore  a  suit  of  dark-green  velvet,  while  Miss  Mollie  Garfield 
wore  a  plum-colored  woollen  suit.  General  Garfield's  first 
act  after  taking  the  oath  of  oifice  was  to  kiss  his  mother 
and  wife.  After  reviewing  the  inaugural  procession  Garfield 
lunched  with  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hayes,  who  soon  afterward  left 
the  White  House  to  spend  the  night  with  Secretary  Sherman. 

The  inaugural  ball  was  held  in  the  new  museum  building. 
Mrs.  Garfield  wore  light  heliotrope  satin  with  point  lace, 
while  Mrs.  Hayes,  who  was  escorted  by  the  Hon.  John  B. 
Alley,  wore  a  cream-colored  satin  dress  trimmed  with  ermine. 
The  preponderance  of  gold  lace  on  the  uniforms  of  the  officers 
of  the  army  and  navy,  marine  corps,  staffs  of  the  governors 
and  officers  of  the  national  guard  from  the  various  States, 
the  court  dress  of  the  Diplomatic  Corps,  the  magnificent  cos 
tumes  and  resplendent  jewels  worn  by  the  hundreds  of  ladies 
present,  made  the  affair  extremely  brilliant. 

The  multitudes  which  had  gathered  for  the  inauguration 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  411 

had  hardly  dispersed  before  legions  of  place-hunters  made 
their  appearance.  James  G.  Elaine  was  made  Secretary  of 
State;  William  Windom  of  Minnesota  was  made  Secretary 
of  the  Treasury;  Robert  T.  Lincoln  of  Illinois  was  made 
Secretary  of  War;  William  M.  Hunt  of  Louisiana,  Secre 
tary  of  the  Navy;  Samuel  J.  Kirkwood  of  Iowa,  Secre 
tary  of  the  Interior;  Thomas  L.  James  of  New  York, 
Postmaster-General;  and  Wayne  MacVeagh  of  Pennsylvania, 
Attorney- General.  President  Garfield  had  served  in  Con 
gress  with  several  of  the  members  of  his  cabinet  and  nat 
urally  felt  he  knew  them  thoroughly  and  could  depend  upon 
their  fidelity  to  him. 

One  of  the  most  notable  events  in  Congress  at  this  time  was 
the  three  hours'  speech  of  Senator  Mahone  of  Virginia.  This 
speech  was  in  reply  to  the  bitter  personal  attacks  which  had 
been  made  on  the  senator  from  Virginia  by  the  Democrats, 
and  principally  by  Senator  Ben  Hill  of  Georgia,  since  he  had 
acted  with  the  Republican  party.  Altogether  the  session  was 
a  very  stormy  one. 

Garfield 's  first  appearance  in  public  after  his  inauguration 
was  at  the  unveiling  of  the  Farragut  statue,  which  had  been 
executed  by  Mrs.  Vinnie  Ream  Hoxie.  A  procession  formed 
at  the  Capitol  and  marched  to  the  statue.  Speeches  were 
made  by  Garfield,  Horace  Maynard  of  Tennessee,  and 
Senator  Voorhees  of  Indiana.  Garfield  also  attended  the 
commencement  exercises  and  conferred  the  degrees  at  Ken 
dall  Green  College  for  Deaf  Mutes. 

President  Garfield  had  the  largest  family  that  had  been  in 
the  White  House  since  General  Grant's  administration.  Hav 
ing  four  sons,  as  well  as  one  daughter,  it  was  necessary  to  pro 
vide  some  amusement  for  the  growing  boys.  The  billiard 
table  was  accordingly  restored,  enabling  General  Garfield 
also  to  take  much-needed  exercise.  The  young  daughter, 
Mollie,  was  the  constant  companion  of  her  mother.  The 
conditions  under  which  wine  was  restored  to  the  table  of  the 


412  REMINISCENCES  OF 

White  House  have  never  been  known,  as  Mrs.  Garfield  was  a 
very  modest,  quiet  little  woman,  who  made  very  few  sug 
gestions  and  gave  no  opinions  for  publication.  She  was  gen 
tle  and  ladylike,  and  always  appropriately  dressed.  She  gave 
only  four  receptions,  and  at  these  she  acquitted  herself  with 
great  credit.  " Mother"  Garfield  received  distinguished  con 
sideration,  not  only  from  the  family  but  from  all  callers 
at  the  White  House.  She  was  a  venerable,  fine-looking  old 
lady  who  was  very  positive  in  her  convictions  of  right  and 
wrong,  but  not  at  all  intrusive  in  the  advocacy  of  her  own 
peculiar  ideas  of  life,  feeling  that  it  was  her  duty  to  be  loyal 
to  whatever  her  son  inaugurated  at  the  Executive  Mansion. 

Vice-President  Arthur  avoided  interfering  in  the  matter  of 
appointments,  devoting  himself  exclusively  to  the  mastering 
of  the,  to  him,  intricate  parliamentary  rules  of  the  Senate.  He 
had  not  previously  had  any  experience  in  a  legislative  body  or 
in  any  executive  position. 

At  a  special  session  of  Congress,  called  after  Garfield's  in 
auguration,  numerous  changes  were  evident  in  the  personnel 
of  the  Senate  on  account  of  the  expiration  of  the  terms  of 
many  of  the  members  of  that  body.  Senators  Allen  G.  Thur- 
man  and  Matthew  H.  Carpenter  were  missed  by  all  their 
friends.  Senator  Carpenter,  who  died  in  April,  1881,  was 
beyond  question  one  of  the  ablest  men  ever  in  the  United 
States  Senate.  Among  the  senators  were  General  Logan, 
General  Hawley,  Senators  Conger,  Mitchell,  Hale,  and  Fair, 
who  was  called  the  "Silver  King  of  the  Pacific  Slope." 
As  chosen,  the  Republicans  had  the  majority  of  the  Senate, 
but  the  transfer  of  Elaine,  Windom,  and  Kirkwood  to  the 
cabinet  gave  the  Democratic  party  a  temporary  majority 
until  the  arrival  of  successors  to  the  senators  who  had  been 
selected  as  cabinet  officers  made  a  tie,  which  the  casting  vote 
of  Vice-President  Arthur  secured  for  the  Republican  party. 
One  of  the  first  occurrences  to  bring  about  a  sudden  rupture 
between  Conkling  and  Garfield  was  the  imbroglio  about  the 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  413 

appointment  of  Judge  W.  H.  Robertson  as  collector  of  the 
port  of  New  York.  This  appointment  was  strenuously  op 
posed  by  Conkling  but  his  opposition  was  in  vain.  President 
Garfield  made  the  appointment  and  Judge  Robertson  was 
confirmed.  Conkling  immediately  left  the  Senate  taking  with 
him  his  colleague  Senator  Platt,  expecting  to  be  returned  to 
the  Senate  by  the  New  York  legislature,  but  in  this  he  and 
his  colleague  were  sadly  disappointed. 

A  few  months  after  its  birth,  in  addition  to  the  contro 
versy  between  President  Garfield  and  Roscoe  Conkling,  many 
vexatious  problems  confronted  the  administration.  The  "po 
litical  mortgages"  which  some  of  the  members  of  the  cabi 
net  had  out  and  the  forced  exposure  of  the  Star  Route  scan 
dals  added  to  the  general  ill  feeling.  Garfield  soon  began  to 
suffer  keenly  from  the  lack  of  enthusiasm  in  his  support  by 
party  leaders  and  from  the  demands  of  men  who  had  pre 
cipitated  his  nomination  and  contributed  to  his  election. 
Figuratively,  he  was  between  the  horns  of  a  serious  dilemma. 

General  Logan  believed  that  the  majority  should  rule,  and, 
if  the  majority  decided  adversely  to  the  man  or  measure  he 
advocated,  he  accepted  the  decision  unqualifiedly.  There 
fore,  after  Garfield's  nomination  at  Chicago,  General  Logan 
gave  him  his  earnest  loyal  support.  Garfield  knew  this  and 
made  haste  to  invite  General  Logan  to  Mentor  early  in  Feb 
ruary  to  confer  about  the  appointments  in  his  cabinet.  Gen 
eral  Logan  wanted  Mr.  Robert  T.  Lincoln  made  Secretary  of 
War  and  had  induced  a  number  of  influential  Illinois  men  to 
join  in  his  request.  General  Garfield  complied  without  hesi 
tation.  After  the  inauguration  President  Garfield  frequently 
sent  for  General  Logan,  who  never  failed  to  respond  and  do 
his  best  to  accomplish  everything  he  could  for  peace  and  har 
mony  between  the  administration  and  the  Republican  party 
in  and  out  of  Congress. 

President  Garfield  had  promised  to  deliver  the  commence 
ment  address  at  Williams  College,  his  Alma  Mater.  On 


414  REMINISCENCES  OF 

July  2, 1 88 1,  the  President  and  Secretary  Elaine  went  together 
to  the  Baltimore  and  Potomac  Railroad  station,  where  Gar- 
field  was  to  take  the  train.  While  waiting  there  Charles  Gui- 
teau,  the  assassin,  shot  the  President.  The  world  knows 
what  followed  and  of  the  long,  painful  weeks  of  illness  of 
the  President,  vibrating  between  life  and  death  for  eighty- 
one  days,  until  on  September  19,  1881,  he  passed  away.  All 
nations  had  tendered  their  sympathy,  and  days  of  prayer  and 
petition  for  the  recovery  of  the  President  had  been  desig 
nated  by  Christian  people  throughout  the  nation.  Garfield's 
body  was  brought  back  to  Washington  from  Elberon,  New 
Jersey,  where  the  invalid  had  been  carried  during  his  last 
weeks,  and  lay  in  state  in  the  rotunda  of  the  Capitol  for  two 
days  prior  to  being  taken  to  Cleveland.  Here,  also,  he  lay 
in  state  for  two  days.  The  impressive  ceremonies  attending 
the  funeral  and  the  depositing  of  the  remains  of  the  lamented 
President  in  their  last  resting-place  are  too  well  known  to  be 
repeated. 

No  person  in  the  nation  was  more  deeply  grieved  over 
President  Garfield's  assassination  than  was  General  Logan. 
He  stood  aghast  at  the  tragedy,  and  wondered  if  the  anarchist 
organizations  had  on  their  list  other  men  in  authority.  At 
the  announcement  of  the  deplorable  deed,  General  Logan 
returned  to  Washington  to  lend  his  services  in  any  way 
required.  Meanwhile  Guiteau  had  been  confined  in  the  Dis 
trict  jail  at  Washington.  The  trial  began  soon  after  the 
funeral  exercises  were  over  and  lasted  eleven  weeks,  during 
which  time  there  were  some  of  the  most  dramatic  scenes 
enacted  that  have  ever  characterized  the  trial  of  an  assassin. 
Sentimental  persons  in  the  country  made  themselves  supremely 
ridiculous  by  carrying  flowers  to  this  confessed  criminal. 
Colonel  Corkhill,  the  district  attorney,  was  most  vigorous 
in  his  prosecution,  but  gave  the  prisoner  every  possible  chance 
to  defend  himself.  Many  persons  regretted  extremely  the 
publicity  given  everything  connected  with  the  trial  and  the 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  415 

newspaper  reports  of  the  proceedings  from  day  to  day  kept 
the  country  in  a  feverish  state  of  excitement.  This,  however, 
served  subsequently  as  a  lesson,  for  in  the  case  of  Mr.  McKin- 
ley's  assassin  the  trial  was  conducted  on  a  much  more  dig 
nified  and  less  sensational  scale. 

President  Arthur  was  in  New  York  and  immediately  on 
learning  of  Garfield's  death,  in  order  that  the  Government 
should  not  be  without  a  Chief  Magistrate  for  a  single  hour, 
he  took  the  oath  of  office  there.  It  was  administered  by 
Justice  Brady.  Immediately  after  returning  to  Washington 
he  again  took  the  oath  of  office,  on  September  22,  in  the  Capi 
tol.  I  have  heard  President  Arthur  say  that  he  felt  he  was 
signing  his  own  death-warrant,  so  acutely  did  he  appreciate 
the  responsibility  which  had  fallen  upon  him.  There  was  no 
further  ceremony,  and  thus  President  Arthur  succeeded  Presi 
dent  Garfield. 

There  had  been  such  an  interminable  line  of  visitors  passing 
in  and  out  of  the  White  House  during  President  Garfield's 
long  illness,  that  the  carpets  were  worn  threadbare,  the  furni 
ture  was  dingy,  and  the  curtains  faded.  The  living-rooms 
on  the  second  floor  were  in  a  direful  condition  from  constant 
use  by  watchers,  messengers,  and  privileged  persons  who  were 
there  day  and  night.  The  cabinet-room  and  library  had 
been  turned  into  consulting  chambers  for  physicians  and 
specialists.  The  whole  house  had,  therefore,  to  be  renovated 
before  President  Arthur  could  take  up  his  permanent  residence 
there.  As  Vice-President,  he  had  been  the  guest  of  Senator 
and  Mrs.  Jones  of  Nevada,  in  the  gray-stone  residence  across 
the  street  from  the  southeast  corner  of  the  House  of  Repre 
sentatives,  formerly  the  home  of  Benjamin  F.  Butler.  He 
remained  with  them  until  an  army  of  artisans  had  removed 
all  traces  of  President  Garfield's  illness  and  had  put  every 
thing  in  order,  President  Arthur  personally  directing  the  work. 
He  displayed  such  exquisite  taste  in  the  changes  he  made 
that  no  one  could  believe  but  that  some  woman's  taste  and 


4i6  REMINISCENCES  OF 

dainty  fingers  had  given  the  delicate  touches  which  lent  to 
the  staid  old  mansion  such  a  homelike  air.  The  Van  Buren 
silver  was  given  a  new  plating  of  gold,  and  all  the  service  of 
china  and  glass  was  replenished.  When  it  was  ready  for  Presi 
dent  Arthur's  occupation  every  one  declared  the  White  House 
had  never  been  before  so  fittingly  furnished. 

Mourning  at  the  capital  of  a  nation  is  brief  at  most,  and  in 
a  few  short  weeks  the  soical  season  was  again  in  full  swing. 
President  Arthur,  without  exception,  was  the  most  accom 
plished  man  ever  in  the  White  House  and  paid  more  atten 
tion  to  the  observance  of  all  the  civilities  and  requirements 
of  social  etiquette  than  any  of  his  predecessors.  While  he 
left  on  record  no  state  papers  which  would  give  him  credit 
for  great  ability,  I  have  most  delightful  recollections  of  many 
charming  entertainments  which  were  given  in  the  executive 
mansion  during  his  administration.  He  spared  no  expense 
in  the  preparations  for  his  social  functions.  He  would  have 
scorned  the  thought  of  inviting  his  guests  to  listen  to  the 
mediocre  repertoire  of  local  amateurs,  and  in  arranging  musical 
entertainments  he  availed  himself  of  the  presence  of  cele 
brated  artists  during  their  engagements  in  Washington.  I 
never  attended  a  single  social  affair  in  the  White  House  during 
President  Arthur's  administration  when  refreshments  of  the 
rarest  and  most  delicious  kinds  were  not  served.  The  Presi 
dent's  sister,  Mrs.  John  McElroy,  wife  of  Reverend  John 
McElroy,  of  Albany,  New  York,  was  with  her  brother  much 
of  the  time  during  his  occupancy  of  the  White  House.  Her 
own  daughter  and  Nellie  Arthur  were  about  the  same  age, 
and  it  was  refreshing  to  see  these  beautiful,  innocent  young 
girls  standing,  simply  gowned,  behind  the  line  at  the  recep 
tions.  There  was  never  any  discussion  in  the  papers  by  the 
President  or  his  sister  as  to  the  simplicity  which  should  char 
acterize  social  affairs  in  the  White  House,  as  they  believed  it 
should  go  without  saying  that  everything  done  in  the  White 
House  should  befit  the  dignity  of  the  home  of  the  President 
of  the  United  States. 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  417 

The  list  of  women  prominent  in  society  during  this  admin 
istration,  all  of  whom  were  frequent  visitors  at  the  White 
House,  was  a  long  one.  Among  others  there  were  Mrs. 
Hazen,  wife  of  General  Hazen,  now  Mrs.  George  Dewey,  Mrs. 
John  B.  Henderson,  wife  of  ex-Senator  Henderson  of  Mis 
souri,  one  of  the  most  remarkable  women  of  her  time,  Miss 
Taylor,  Mrs.  Beale,  wife  of  General  Beale,  Mrs.  Hill,  wife  of 
Senator  Hill  of  Colorado,  Miss  Edith  Harlan,  Miss  Schurz, 
Mrs.  Schofield,  wife  of  General  Schofield,  Mrs.  Lord,  Mrs. 
Shellabarger,  wife  of  Judge  Shellabarger,  Mrs.  Waite,  wife  of 
Chief  Justice  Waite,  and  Miss  Waite,  Mrs.  Don  Cameron,  Mrs. 
Dahlgren,  Mrs.  and  Miss  Blaine,  Mrs.  Jewett,  Mrs.  John 
Davis,  Olivia  Briggs,  Mary  Clemmer  Ames,  the  daughters  of 
Senator  Frelinghuysen,  Mrs.  Vinnie  Ream  Hoxie,  and  many 
of  the  wives  of  high  officials,  who  were  women  of  decided 
ability  and  rare  accomplishments. 

Under  President  Arthur  foreign  relations  were  conducted 
by  Secretary  Frelinghuysen  in  a  friendly  spirit.  President 
Arthur  favored  reform  in  the  civil  service,  but  vetoed  the 
Chinese  bill  and  the  bill  making  appropriations  for  rivers  and 
harbors.  The  President  convened  the  Senate  on  October  10, 
1 88 1,  after  President  Garfield's  death.  The  absence  of  the 
brilliant  Roscoe  Conkling  was  much  felt,  and  the  circum 
stances  which  had  led  to  his  untimely  departure  from  the 
Senate  were  deplored  by  many.  The  ponderous  Senator 
David  Davis  from  Illinois,  who  was  at  this  time  sixty-seven 
years  old  and  weighed  three  hundred  and  fifty  pounds,  was 
elected  President  pro  tern,  of  the  Senate.  It  was  about  this 
time  that  General  Logan  introduced  his  bill  for  the  granting 
of  a  pension  to  Mrs.  Lincoln  of  five  thousand  dollars  a  year, 
as  well  as  his  bill  to  amend  the  pension  laws,  increasing  the 
fee  of  pension  agents  from  ten  to  twenty-five  dollars. 

In  October  a  number  of  French  and  German  officers  arrived, 
as  the  guests  of  the  United  States,  to  witness  the  dedication  of 
the  monument  at  Yorktown  on  the  one  hundredth  anniver- 


418  REMINISCENCES  OF 

sary  of  the  victory  which  those  nations  had  helped  us  to  win. 
About  forty  officers  were  received  at  the  State  Department 
by  Secretary  Elaine.  The  procession  formed  and  marched 
to  the  Capitol,  which  was  still  draped  in  black  for  President 
Garfield.  Here  they  were  received  by  President  Arthur. 
The  French  minister,  as  dean  of  the  Diplomatic  Corps,  intro 
duced  the  French  guests  to  the  President,  and  afterward  the 
German  minister  performed  the  same  service  for  his  country 
men.  Later  they  were  received  by  the  Senate,  and  at  night 
a  great  display  of  fireworks  was  made.  The  President  and 
cabinet,  with  many  senators,  representatives,  and  visitors, 
went  to  Yorktown  on  a  fleet  of  steamboats,  where  the  gov 
ernors  of  the  original  thirteen  States,  each  with  a  militia  escort 
and  with  a  military  and  naval  force  of  regulars,  joined  in  the 
celebration. 

Secretary  and  Mrs.  Elaine  entertained  the  guests  at  Worm- 
ley's  Hotel,  a  large  building  which  stood  on  the  southwest 
corner  of  H  and  Fifteenth  Streets,  on  the  site  now  occupied 
by  the  imposing  building  of  the  Union  Trust  Company.  This 
high-class  hotel  was  conducted  by  Mr.  Wormley,  a  colored 
man,  who  was  then  the  leading  caterer  of  the  city  of  Wash 
ington.  The  cabinet,  the  Supreme  Court,  Senate,  House, 
army,  and  navy  were  well  represented.  The  supper-table  was 
a  thing  of  beauty,  laid  with  the  finest  Dresden  china.  Low 
mounds  of  roses  enhanced  the  brilliant  effect  of  the  china  and 
cut  glass.  The  different  favorite  dishes  of  the  French  and 
German  visitors  were  bountifully  supplied,  and  the  stiff  polite 
ness  of  the  diplomats  was  for  a  time  laid  aside,  and  cordiality 
of  feeling  indulged  in.  After  the  supper  the  guests  danced 
until  an  early  hour.  The  next  day,  while  the  German  offi 
cers  were  in  Baltimore,  Mr.  Elaine  introduced  the  French 
visitors  to  the  beauties  of  the  capital  of  our  nation.  It  was 
a  noticeable  fact  that  the  French  minister  delayed  tendering 
the  reception  to  his  countrymen  until  after  the  Germans  had 
departed. 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  419 

At  the  first  session  of  the  Forty-seventh  Congress,  Decem 
ber  5,  1 88 1,  the  Republicans  were  again  in  power.  Presi 
dent  Arthur  appointed  Judge  Folger  Secretary  of  the  Treas 
ury,  Frederick  T.  Frelinghuysen  Secretary  of  State,  Benjamin 
H.  Brewster  Attorney-General,  and  ex-Senator  Howe,  from 
Wisconsin,  Postmaster-General.  Mr.  Conkling  was  ten 
dered  a  seat  on  the  Supreme  Bench,  but  declined  the 
honor.  A  committee  of  eight  senators  and  a  representa 
tive  from  each  State  was  appointed  to  plan  a  fitting  com 
memoration  of  the  memory  of  Garfield.  This  they  did,  con 
doling  with  the  widow  and  providing  for  an  oration  on  his 
life,  to  be  pronounced  by  James  G.  Blaine  before  the  two 
houses  of  Congress  and  the  high  officials  of  the  Government. 
The  Garfield  memorial  meeting  was  held  in  the  House  of 
Representatives  on  February  27,  1882.  Among  those  present 
beside  the  members  of  the  cabinet,  Senate,  House,  etc.,  were 
Generals  Sherman,  Sheridan,  and  Hancock,  Admiral  Porter, 
Rear-Admiral  Worden,  Frederick  Douglass,  General  Schenck, 
and  the  historian  George  Bancroft,  who  himself  had  been 
the  orator  on  the  occasion  of  the  Lincoln  memorial  meeting. 
Corcoran,  the  philanthropist,  was  there,  as  was  Cyrus  W. 
Field.  Mr.  Blaine,  with  great  dignity,  earnestness,  and 
truthfulness,  read  impressively  the  voluminous  pile  of  black- 
bordered  manuscript  which  he  had  prepared,  after  which  the 
assemblage,  led  by  President  Arthur,  left  the  hall.  I  had  the 
pleasure  of  hearing  this  fine  oration. 

President  Arthur's  first  state  dinner,  which  General  Logan 
and  I  attended,  was  given  in  honor  of  General  and  Mrs.  Grant, 
who  were  visiting  General  and  Mrs.  Beale.  The  table  was 
laid  for  thirty-four  guests  and  was  decorated  with  roses  and 
lilies  of  the  valley.  As  usual,  it  was  a  great  success,  as  the 
dinners  given  by  President  Arthur  were  at  all  times  the  most 
elegant  of  any  ever  given  in  the  White  House. 

When  the  Forty-eighth  Congress  convened,  December  3, 
1883,  Judge  David  Davis  retired  as  President  pro  tern,,  and 


420  REMINISCENCES  OF 

Senator  Anthony,  five  times  elected  senator,  was  offered  the 
chair.  This  he  declined,  and  Senator  Edmunds  of  Vermont, 
was  finally  elected.  General  Logan  was  placed  on  a  com 
mittee  to  investigate  the  conditions  existing  on  the  Mis 
sissippi  River  and  the  Illinois  and  Hennepin  Canal.  With 
him  were  Senators  Sawyer  of  Wisconsin  and  Walker  of 
Arkansas.  Mr.  N.  T.  N.  Robinson  was  secretary  and  an 
exhaustive  examination  was  made  into  the  condition  of  affairs 
on  these  two  waterways. 

The  earlier  candidates  named  for  the  Republican  nomina 
tion  in  1884  were  Logan,  Robert  Lincoln,  President  Arthur, 
James  G.  Elaine,  ex-Senator  Conkling,  General  Grant,  and 
Governor  Foster,  of  Ohio;  but  when  the  convention  met,  in 
Chicago,  June  3,  1884,  the  names  put  before  the  convention 
were  Elaine,  Arthur,  Edmunds,  Logan,  John  Sherman,  Haw- 
ley,  and  William  Tecumseh  Sherman.  On  June  6  James 
G.  Elaine  was  nominated,  after  many  ballots  had  been  cast, 
and  General  Logan's  nomination  for  Vice-President  followed 
by  acclamation.  The  Democratic  convention  met  at  Chicago 
on  July  6,  and  nominated  Grover  Cleveland  for  President 
and  Thomas  A.  Hendricks  for  Vice-President.  After  the  an 
nouncement  of  the  nominations  made  at  Chicago  the  people 
of  Washington  gave  a  magnificent  reception  to  Mr.  Elaine 
and  also,  on  another  evening,  tendered  one  to  General  Logan. 
General  Logan  was  very  much  disgusted  because  the  speakers 
at  the  reception  to  Mr.  Elaine,  ratifying  his  nomination, 
began  to  explain  and  apologize  for  Mr.  Elaine's  record,  in 
reply  to  charges  that  had  been  made  against  him  by  the 
opposition. 

In  addition  to  the  reception  tendered  General  Logan  in 
Washington,  thirty  thousand  citizens  and  ten  thousand  sol 
diers  welcomed  him  in  August  to  the  city  of  Chicago.  Af 
ter  a  procession,  in  which  thousands  participated,  speeches 
were  made  by  General  Logan,  General  Oglesby,  Governor 
Cullom,  and  Colonel  Carr.  Early  in  October  General  Lo- 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  421 

gan  received  an  ovation  in  Philadelphia.  After  a  parade 
in  his  honor,  a  great  meeting  was  held  in  the  Academy  of 
Music,  which  was  attended  by  an  immense  throng  of  peo 
ple.  In  the  latter  part  of  October,  on  returning  to  Spring 
field,  Illinois,  he  was  also  much  honored.  It  was  said  that 
there  were  seventy  thousand  people  in  the  city  of  Springfield 
at  the  time.  General  Logan  and  General  Oglesby,  who  oc 
cupied  a  carriage  together,  were  escorted  to  the  hotel  by 
thirty-eight  ladies  on  white  horses  and  thirty-eight  gentle 
men  on  black  horses,  to  represent  the  thirty-eight  States 
then  in  the  Union.  The  ladies  wore  navy-blue  riding-habits 
with  red  sashes,  and  the  gentlemen  wore  dress  suits  with 
high  black  silk  hats. 

The  campaign  of  1884  was  a  strenuous  one  in  every  sense 
of  the  word.  I  accompanied  General  Logan,  who  travelled 
and  spoke  to  great  crowds  almost  daily  from  the  adjournment 
of  the  national  convention,  in  June,  to  the  very  night  before 
the  election.  He  filled  appointments  made  for  him  in  Maine, 
Vermont,  Massachusetts,  New  York,  New  Jersey,  Ohio, 
Indiana,  Michigan,  Wisconsin,  Iowa,  Kansas,  Missouri,  Ne 
braska,  and  Illinois.  He  did  not  agree  with  the  policy  of 
Mr.  Elaine  and  his  friends  in  their  constant  explanations 
and  apologetic  replies  to  the  innumerable  charges  of  fraud 
and  corruption  made  against  Mr.  Elaine.  General  Logan  in 
sisted  that  an  aggressive  campaign  was  the  only  one  sure  to 
win.  No  charges  were  made  against  General  Logan,  for  his 
record  was  an  open  letter  and  he  invited  a  search-light  investi 
gation  of  his  whole  life.  He  defied  the  opposition  in  an  ag 
gressive  campaign  against  the  nominees  of  the  Democratic 
party — Cleveland  and  Hendricks — but  would  not  stoop  to  the 
personalities  so  wantonly  and  fatally  indulged  in  during  that 
campaign.  He  held  the  nominees  responsible  for  the  princi 
ples,  methods,  and  deeds  of  the  Democratic  party,  arraigning 
the  party  and  not  the  nominees  for  its  ruinous  record  and 
policy. 


422  REMINISCENCES  OF 

Through  an  arrangement  of  the  national  committee,  Mr. 
Elaine  came  to  Illinois  about  two  weeks  before  the  election, 
against  General  Logan's  advice,  as  his  presence  revived  many 
of  the  scandals  charged  against  him  which  General  Logan  had 
silenced  by  ignoring.  General  Logan  was  obliged  to  lose  all 
the  time  Mr.  Elaine  was  in  Illinois,  as  he  could  not  continue 
his  work  elsewhere  while  his  associate  on  the  ticket  was  in 
his  own  State.  Mr.  Elaine  closed  in  Illinois  at  Chicago. 
The  committee  had  also  planned  that  Mr.  Elaine  should  go 
to  New  York  State  for  the  last  week  before  the  election,  and 
that  General  Logan  should  canvass  Indiana.  Mr.  Elaine  left 
Chicago  for  New  York  in  time  to  attend  the  famous  ban 
quet  at  which  he  received  his  quietus  through  the  reckless 
Doctor  Burchard's  characterization  of  the  Democratic  party 
as  standing  for  "Rum,  Romanism,  and  Rebellion."  General 
Logan  had  earnestly  opposed  the  banquet  proposition,  antici 
pating  some  one's  indiscreet  utterances.  He  felt  it  would 
array  many  against  Belshazzar's  feast,  to  which  only  a  few 
at  most  could  be  admitted.  Unfortunately  for  General  Logan, 
he  had  consented  to  allow  his  name  to  be  used  on  the  ticket 
with  Mr.  Elaine,  hoping  he  could  thereby  save  the  Repub 
lican  party  from  defeat.  There  is  no  gainsaying  the  fact 
that  General  Logan  was  the  choice  of  the  people  for  the 
Presidency  in  1884,  but  Mr.  Elaine  had  behind  him  the 
moneyed  men,  who  saw  in  Mr.  Elaine  a  more  pliant  character 
for  their  schemes  than  in  General  Logan,  who  steadily  op 
posed  all  kinds  of  subsidies  for  railroads,  steamships,  and 
other  gigantic  enterprises  based  upon  Government  aid  for 
their  furtherance.  He  was  known  as  an  anti-monopolist  and 
the  enemy  of  "wildcat"  schemes.  He  was,  therefore,  not  a 
favorite  with  the  class  of  men  who  all  too  frequently  dictate 
nominations  in  spite  of  the  expressed  will  of  the  people.  Mr. 
Conkling  and  other  influential  men  in  the  party  declared  their 
willingness  to  support  the  ticket  if  General  Logan  were  at 
the  head  of  it.  They  also  avowed  their  uncompromising  op- 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  423 

position  to  Mr.  Elaine  personally.  Naturally,  this  aroused  a 
feeling  of  distrust  and  jealousy  in  Mr.  Elaine's  mind  toward 
General  Logan,  which,  notwithstanding  Mr.  Elaine's  efforts 
to  conceal  his  real  disposition,  General  Logan  felt  keenly.  He 
tried  by  every  possible  means  to  convince  Mr.  Elaine  of  his 
loyalty  to  him  as  well  as  his  deep  concern  for  the  success  of 
the  Republican  party,  but  realized  he  was  not  always  suc 
cessful. 

Failing  in  his  attempts  to  change  the  programme  of  the 
committee,  and  with  many  forebodings,  General  Logan,  ac 
companied  by  myself,  proceeded  to  Indiana  to  fill  the  appoint 
ments  which  had  been  made  for  him  there.  He  was  joined 
by  a  number  of  prominent  Republicans  in  a  ten  days'  tour 
of  the  State,  speaking  night  and  day  to  very  large  crowds, 
which  would  have  made  most  men  sanguine  of  success.  I 
tried  to  make  him  think  all  would  be  well,  but  it  was  impos 
sible  to  dispel  the  depression  of  spirits  which  held  him  fast 
from  the  first. 

We  left  Indianapolis  the  night  before  the  election,  reaching 
Chicago  at  seven  the  following  morning.  It  was  a  raw,  cold, 
cheerless  day  and  the  ground  was  covered  with  snow,  which 
was  still  falling  as  we  drove  to  our  house  on  Calumet  Avenue. 
General  Logan  scarcely  spoke  a  word  until  I  began  to  suggest 
that  it  would  surely  stop  snowing  soon;  that  it  was  not  very 
cold,  etc.,  thinking  to  dispel  the  gloom  which  seemed  to  have 
settled  down  upon  him.  He  replied:  "My  dear,  do  not  de 
ceive  yourself.  It  is  all  over,  and  we  are  defeated.  It  is 
pretty  tough,  though,  to  think  that  I  must  go  down  in  defeat 
when  I  think  of  Hendricks's  record  as  an  enemy  of  his  country, 
and  remember  the  perils  and  hardships  of  the  Civil  War 
through  which  I  passed  in  defence  of  my  country." 

When  the  returns  were  in  and  the  result  was  announced, 
it  was  evident  that  the  contest  had  been  very  close.  Many 
good  men  doubted  seriously  the  election  of  Cleveland  and 
Hendricks  if  a  fair  count  could  be  secured.  At  first  Mr.  Elaine 


424  REMINISCENCES  OF 

thought  of  contesting  the  election  and  demanding  a  recount, 
especially  in  the  State  of  New  York.  This  State  had  been 
carried  by  such  a  small  majority  that  it  was  the  opinion  of 
many  that  fraud  had  been  perpetrated  in  counting  the  votes. 
But  General  Logan  demurred.  He  was  physically  exhausted, 
and  had  before  him  a  contest  for  re-election  to  the  Senate. 

It  was  discovered,  after  all  the  returns  were  in,  that  the 
Illinois  legislature  was  again  of  doubtful  political  complexion. 
On  account  of  the  election  of  a  number  of  men  who  had  bolted 
their  respective  parties,  it  was  doubtful  with  what  party — 
Republican  or  Democratic — these  independents  would  vote 
on  the  senatorial  question. 

General  Logan  had  to  be  in  Washington  for  the  assembling 
of  Congress.  Hence  we  came  on  after  Thanksgiving,  going 
to  No.  3  Iowa  Circle,  to  which  residence  we  had  removed 
after  General  Logan's  nomination  at  Chicago,  feeling  it  neces 
sary  to  have  a  house  of  our  own  to  accommodate  the  ever- 
increasing  number  of  callers  and  visitors.  On  January  i, 
1885,  we  held  a  reception  here.  The  house  was  beautifully 
decorated  with  flowers.  In  order  to  help  entertain  the  con 
stant  stream  of  callers,  I  had  with  me  Mrs.  Cullom,  wife  of 
Senator  Cullom,  Mrs.  George  Upton,  Miss  Edith  Andrews, 
later  my  son's  wife,  Mrs.  Duval,  wife  of  Lieutenant,  now 
General  Duval,  Mrs.  Rounds,  Mrs.  Moore,  Miss  Nash,  Miss 
Eads,  Miss  Otes,  Mrs.  E.  B.  Wight,  and  Mrs.  Stevenson, 
wife  of  Colonel  Stevenson  of  the  Geological  Survey.  Mrs. 
Stevenson  is  the  author  of  the  best  book  on  the  Indians 
ever  written  for  that  department  of  the  Government. 

Early  in  January  General  Logan  had  to  go  to  Springfield, 
as  his  friends  had  informed  him  there  were  all  sorts  of  com 
binations  and  conspiracies  on  foot.  They  had  expected  that 
General  Logan  would  be  returned  to  the  Senate  without  op 
position  from  his  own  party,  and  he  would  have  been,  with 
out  doubt,  but  for  the  mongrel  condition  of  the  legislature. 
Tree,  Hoxie,  and  Morrison  were  candidates  on  the  Democratic 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  425 

side,  and  the  hope  of  success  of  any  one  of  these  lay  in  con 
trolling  the  legislature.  It  was  a  bitter  contest,  the  House  and 
Senate  voting  daily  without  any  one  receiving  a  majority  of 
either  house.  Old  and  tried  Republican  friends,  it  was  found, 
had  been  completely  demoralized  by  the  use  of  money  in  the 
redemption  of  their  farms  and  other  financial  inducements 
to  vote  for  an  independent  or  Democrat. 

On  April  12,  1885,  Representative  J.  Henry  Shaw,  a  Demo 
crat  of  the  Illinois  legislature,  died  in  Springfield,  and  the 
governor  ordered  the  election  of  his  successor  on  May  6. 
In  the  mean  time,  Mr.  J.  H.  Craske  conceived  a  plan  by 
which  the  Republicans  might  elect  Mr.  Shaw's  successor.  It 
was  this:  that  one  man  be  selected  in  each  county  to  manage 
said  county;  he  in  turn  to  select  one  man  in  each  township 
of  the  county;  he  in  turn  to  select  one  man  in  each  school 
district,  who  in  turn  would  select  five  others  to  assist  him. 
All  those  engaged  in  the  work  were  to  be  as  secret  as  the  grave. 
All  were  to  start  out  on  the  morning  of  May  6,  to  see  that 
all  Republicans  were  at  their  respective  voting-places  promptly 
at  4  o'clock  P.  M.,  thereby  insuring  the  election  of  a  Republican 
representative. 

The  plan  was  submitted  to  General  Logan,  and  there  being 
nothing  improper  about  it  he  gave  it  his  approval.  To  some 
the  success  of  the  plan  seemed  impossible,  but  Craske  was  such 
a  level-headed  man  and  so  sure  of  the  success  of  the  ma 
noeuvre  that  General  Logan  felt  the  chances  were  even.  The 
next  thing  to  do  was  to  find  the  men  to  carry  out  the  scheme, 
which  Mr.  Craske  succeeded  in  doing.  The  secretary  of  the 
State  central  committee,  Mr.  Daniel  Sheppard,  and  one  or 
two  friends  of  General  Logan,  went  into  the  thirty-fifth  dis 
trict  to  help  Mr.  Craske,  and  to  the  amazement  of  the  whole 
State  they  succeeded  in  electing  a  Republican  to  succeed  Mr. 
Shaw.  This  closed  the  most  remarkable  senatorial  contest 
that  has  ever  been  held  in  Illinois,  as  on  the  nineteenth  day  of 
May,  after  a  struggle  of  four  months  and  nineteen  days,  Gen- 


426  REMINISCENCES  OF 

eral  Logan  was  re-elected  to  the  United  States  Senate  for  six 
years.  Many  times  during  this  trying  and  vexatious  fight 
General  Logan  had  felt  inclined  to  withdraw  and  give  up  the 
contest,  as  it  frequently  seemed  hopeless.  The  struggle  was 
so  remarkable,  the  climax  so  wonderful,  that  it  attracted  at 
tention  all  over  the  nation,  and  General  Logan  was  deluged 
with  invitations  to  receive  the  homage  of  the  different  cities. 
He  was  entertained  in  Baltimore,  Boston,  and  Chicago,  the 
Republicans  creating  a  jubilee  over  this  remarkable  victory. 
He  returned  to  his  seat  in  the  United  States  Senate  as  soon 
as  he  could  and  took  up  his  many  duties  with  much  zeal. 

The  session  lasted  until  quite  late.  General  Logan  was 
much  engrossed  with  his  public  duties  and  in  the  labor  of 
writing  his  book,  "The  Great  Conspiracy."  He  knew  of 
General  Grant's  failing  health  and  went  to  New  York  to  see 
Grant  before  he  was  removed  to  Mount  McGregor.  General 
Logan  was  deeply  grieved  over  General  Grant's  condition, 
which  he  realized  was  hopeless.  He  watched  the  daily  bulle 
tins  with  great  solicitude  until  the  announcement  of  the  death 
of  his  beloved  commander,  July  12,  1885.  General  Logan 
went  to  New  York  to  participate  in  the  honors  paid  to  the 
most  illustrious  soldier  of  the  Republic.  In  September,  1885, 
at  the  meeting  of  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee  in  Cincinnati, 
that  army  mourned  the  death  of  their  beloved  General  Grant. 
Resolutions  of  sympathy  were  adopted,  and  at  the  banquet 
which  followed  General  Logan  responded  to  the  toast,  "  States 
men  and  Statesmanship  of  the  War." 

We  had  experienced  great  discomfort  for  years  by  living  in 
boarding-houses,  and  had  so  enjoyed  having  a  house  of  our 
own  after  our  removal  to  Iowa  Circle,  that  I  persuaded  my 
husband  to  let  me  try  to  find  a  house  which  we  might  endeavor 
to  buy,  and  in  this  way  enjoy  a  home  during  the  six  years 
for  which  he  had  been  re-elected  to  the  Senate.  Securing 
his  consent,  while  he  was  busy  writing  "The  Great  Conspir 
acy,"  I  made  a  tour  of  Washington,  hunting  property  which 


Mary  Logan  Tucker.  Major  John  A.  Logan,  Jr. 


Mrs.  John  A.  Logan,  Jr.  John  A.  Logan  III. 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  427 

I  thought  suitable  for  our  home.  Confiding  my  wishes  to  a 
friend,  he  told  me  about  the  " Stone  mansion"  on  Columbia 
Heights,  which  then  belonged  to  Senator  John  Sherman.  I 
found  that  Colonel  M.  M.  Parker  was  the  agent,  and  I  in 
duced  him  to  go  to  see  General  Logan  and  offer  the  property  to 
him.  At  first  the  general  was  afraid  to  undertake  to  buy  this 
property,  lest  he  might  fail  to  meet  the  payments,  but,  after 
many  interviews  and  thorough  inspection  of  the  premises,  he 
purchased  the  place,  notwithstanding  its  dilapidated  condi 
tion.  We  christened  our  new  home  "Calumet  Place,"  and 
during  the  winter  of  1885  and  spring  of  1886  we  had  many 
valued  friends  with  us.  Our  son  was  at  home,  and  Presi 
dent  Arthur  had  been  good  enough  to  cause  Major  Tucker, 
paymaster  in  the  United  States  Army,  to  be  placed  on  duty  in 
Washington,  which  brought  our  daughter  and  her  son  home 
from  Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico.  The  outlook  for  the  future 
seemed  most  propitious,  and  General  Logan  was  supremely 
happy  in  having  his  family  about  him  in  a  home  of  his  own. 
After  the  adjournment  of  Congress  we  returned  to  Chi 
cago,  having  accepted  an  invitation  from  General  Russell  A. 
Alger,  of  Detroit,  to  accompany  him  and  his  family  in  his 
private  car  to  San  Francisco,  where  the  national  encamp 
ment  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  was  held.  It  was 
one  continuous  ovation  for  General  Logan  from  the  time  we 
left  Chicago  until  we  reached  San  Francisco,  the  train  stop 
ping  en  route  many  times  to  allow  the  people  to  do  him 
honor.  When  we  reached  San  Francisco  the  reception  he 
received  was  beyond  description.  It  was  impossible  to  get 
in  or  out  of  the  Baldwin  Hotel,  where  we  stayed  at  the  time. 
On  the  day  of  the  procession  the  committee  provided  a  mag 
nificent  landau  with  four  beautiful  horses,  which  General 
Logan,  General  Alger,  and  the  chairman  of  the  committee 
were  to  occupy  in  the  procession.  The  parade  ended  at  a 
great  hall  where  there  were  to  be  speeches  and  addresses  by 
the  prominent  men  of  the  Grand  Army.  At  that  time  there 


428  REMINISCENCES  OF 

were  very  many  men  surviving  who  had  distinguished  them 
selves  in  the  service  and  made  illustrious  reputations  after 
their  return  to  civil  life.  All  joined  in  the  demonstration  ac 
corded  to  General  Logan.  Some  citizens  of  San  Francisco 
became  so  excited  that  they  took  the  horses  from  the  landau 
and  attached  ropes  by  which  they  drew  it  themselves.  So 
many  were  anxious  to  reach  the  general  and  shake  his  hand 
that  they  literally  destroyed  the  top  and  the  lining  of  the 
landau,  carrying  away  pieces  as  souvenirs,  while  the  owner 
stood  by  and  laughed  heartily  to  see  the  clamor  to  reach  the 
general,  who  was  himself  completely  overwhelmed  by  the  out 
burst  of  enthusiasm  over  him  and  returned  to  the  hotel  ex 
hausted.  I  had  to  put  him  into  bed  and  stand  guard  over 
him  myself  until  he  could  rest  and  recuperate  for  the  exercises 
of  the  evening.  I  have  never  seen  such  flowers,  fruits,  and 
other  courtesies  as  were  showered  upon  us,  each  day's  experi 
ence  rivalling  the  preceding  one  in  its  programme  of  honors. 
On  our  return  journey  the  manifestations  of  regard  of  the 
people  which  had  characterized  our  outward  trip  were  re 
peated,  the  crowds  crying:  "We'll  have  you  for  the  Presidency 
in  1888."  It  made  General  Logan  very  happy  to  know  that 
his  record  was  so  handsomely  indorsed  by  the  masses,  whom 
he  loved  dearly,  and  I  have  no  hesitancy  in  saying  that  the 
last  few  months  of  his  life  were  the  happiest  he  had  ever  known, 
because  he  felt  that  he  was  through  with  the  strenuous  strug 
gles  which  had  characterized  the  contest  he  had  made  for 
advancement.  When  callers  would  say  to  him,  "Well,  now, 
general,  take  good  care  of  yourself,  we  shall  need  you  in  1888," 
he  would  say  to  me  privately,  "It  is  all  right.  I  am  entirely 
satisfied,  and  it  will  be  no  matter  which  way  things  go  in 


In  the  fall,  at  the  solicitation  of  friends,  he  accepted  a  num 
ber  of  invitations  to  different  cities.  We  came  to  Washington 
for  the  assembling  of  Congress  on  the  first  of  December,  but 
the  general  had  taken  a  cold  and  was  not  at  all  well,  suffer- 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  429 

ing  acutely  from  rheumatism.  In  1883  he  had  been  to  Hot 
Springs,  Arkansas,  and  had  received  great  benefit  there.  I 
was  very  anxious  to  have  him  go  to  Hot  Springs  at  once,  but 
he  felt  he  had  been  away  from  his  duties  in  the  Senate  long 
enough  and  was  extremely  desirous  of  securing  the  passage 
of  his  bill  for  the  location  of  the  military  post  north  of  Chi 
cago  now  known  as  Fort  Sheridan.  He  said  he  would  wait 
until  the  Christmas  holidays  before  going  to  the  Springs.  I 
wrote  to  Doctor  Garnett,  his  physician  there,  and  begged  him 
to  write  to  the  general  urging  him  to  come  to  Hot  Springs 
again.  The  general,  however,  persisted  in  attending  to  his 
duties  for  about  two  weeks,  though  suffering  intensely  from 
rheumatism. 

I  was  much  interested  at  that  time  in  the  building  up  of  the 
Garfield  Memorial  Hospital,  and  was  president  of  the  ladies' 
board.  I  was  then  assisting  the  ladies  of  the  society  in  get 
ting  up  an  entertainment  for  December  15,  the  proceeds  of 
which  were  to  be  devoted  to  the  support  of  Garfield  Hospital. 
A  meeting  was  held  on  Capitol  Hill  one  morning,  at  the  home 
of  Mrs.  T.  L.  Tulloch,  the  efficient  treasurer  of  the  society, 
and  I  went  up  to  the  Capitol  with  the  general  in  the  brough 
am,  and  from  there  went  to  Mrs.  Tulloch's  house  to  at 
tend  the  meeting.  I  had  not  been  there  very  long  when 
some  one,  on  looking  out  of  the  window,  said  that  the  gen 
eral  was  in  front  of  the  door  in  the  brougham.  I  rushed 
down  to  him,  and  he  said  he  was  suffering  so  severely  that  he 
was  obliged  to  go  home.  I  returned  home  with  him  and  called 
his  physicians — Doctors  Baxter  and  Hamilton.  They  did 
everything  possible,  and  we  were  untiring  in  our  efforts  to 
alleviate  the  rheumatic  pains.  The  doctors  succeeded  in 
relieving  him  to  the  extent  of  his  being  able  to  sit  up  in  an 
easy  chair  for  an  hour  at  a  time  for  several  days,  and  I  was 
greatly  encouraged  until  the  morning  of  December  22,  when 
a  paroxysm  of  excruciating  pain  seized  him  in  the  arms  and 
about  the  heart.  Greatly  alarmed,  the  doctors  called  in 


430  REMINISCENCES  OF 

Doctor  Lincoln  to  confer  with  them.  Up  to  this  time  the 
general's  mind  had  been  very  clear.  I  never  left  him  for  a 
moment  while  he  was  confined  to  his  bed,  and  through  all  of 
this  time  he  seemed  perfectly  rational,  but  I  noticed  that,  al 
though  he  recognized  Doctor  Lincoln,  after  the  doctors  left 
the  room  for  consultation  his  mind  wandered. 

From  that  moment  until  his  brave  spirit  took  its  flight  at 
three  P.  M.  on  Sunday,  December  26,  1886,  while  Bishop 
John  P.  Newman  stood  beside  his  bed  praying  fervently  for 
the  peace  of  his  soul,  he  was  only  momentarily  conscious,  but 
through  it  all  he  never  for  one  moment  failed  to  recognize 
the  members  of  his  family  or  to  respond  correctly  to  their 
inquiries.  The  physicians  decided  a  few  days  before  that  it 
would  make  no  difference  if  he  were  permitted  to  see  some  of 
his  friends  who  were  anxious  to  speak  with  him  once  more. 
Many  of  his  colleagues  of  both  parties  in  the  Senate  came  to 
the  house  to  pay  a  tribute  to  him,  each  of  whom  he  greeted 
cordially.  The  anguish  of  that  hour  is  as  vivid  to  me  as  if 
twenty-six  years  had  not  come  and  gone  with  all  their  own  sad 
experiences. 

A  guard  of  honor  was  on  duty  in  the  house  for  two  days, 
when  the  casket  containing  his  sacred  remains  was  taken  to 
the  rotunda  of  the  Capitol,  where,  covered  with  marvellous 
floral  tributes,  they  lay  in  state  for  two  days,  during  which  time 
a  multitude  paid  its  respects.  On  the  evening  of  the  second 
day  his  casket  was  returned  to  Calumet  Place.  December  31, 
1886,  was  the  most  stormy  day  I  ever  knew.  Sleet  fell  all 
the  night  before,  covering  everything  with  a  coat  of  ice.  It 
was  bitterly  cold,  and  yet  the  streets  were  lined  with  people. 
A  long  procession  commanded  by  General  Sheridan  followed 
the  funeral  train  to  Rock  Creek  Cemetery,  two  miles  away, 
where  General  Logan's  casket  was  deposited  in  the  vesti 
bule  of  the  mausoleum  of  his  friend  Hutchinson,  the  use  of 
which  was  tendered  by  Mrs.  Hutchinson.  General  Sheridan 
ordered  a  military  guard  of  this  tomb  for  many  months.  As 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  431 

soon  as  it  was  possible  I  erected  a  granite  mortuary  chapel  in 
the  Soldiers'  Home  Cemetery,  and  to  this  General  Logan's 
casket  was  removed.  The  walls  and  ceiling  of  the  chapel  are 
covered  with  wreaths  and  other  designs  in  immortelles. 

And  thus  a  great  and  spotless  career  was  ended. 

Stunned  and  almost  paralyzed  by  the  crushing  blow  which 
had  fallen  upon  me,  it  took  me  some  time  to  rally  sufficiently 
to  take  up  life's  dreary  duties.  I  could  not  forget  the  confi 
dence  reposed  in  me  by  him  who  had  been  taken  away.  I 
was  ambitious  for  our  children,  and  desired,  if  possible,  to  com 
plete  some  of  General  Logan's  unfinished  work.  At  first  it 
was  an  irksome  task,  but,  as  if  guided  by  an  unseen  hand,  little 
by  little  I  took  up  what  was  before  me  to  do  and  gradually 
became  interested  in  life  and  its  many  problems.  The  kind 
ness  and  generosity  of  friends  who  were  ready  to  help  me  ac 
complish  my  desire  to  be  of  some  use  in  the  world  sustained 
me  until  time  enabled  me  to  endure  that  which  no  human 
power  could  cure. 

At  the  time  of  General  Logan's  death  our  son,  John  A. 
Logan,  Jr.,  was  engaged  to  be  married  to  Miss  Edith  An 
drews,  daughter  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Chauncey  H.  Andrews,  of 
Youngstown,  Ohio.  Mr.  Andrews  was  one  of  the  noblest  of 
men — an  intensely  patriotic  citizen  of  the  country  he  loved 
devotedly.  He  and  General  Logan  had  talked  over  the  mar 
riage  of  the  young  people,  but  General  Logan's  death  changed 
all  our  plans.  Much  as  I  knew  I  should  miss  my  son  in  such 
an  hour,  I  would  not  allow  his  engagement  to  be  disconcerted 
on  my  account,  as  I  knew  he  would  have  to  leave  me  sometime 
to  live  his  own  life.  He  was  married  on  March  22,  1887. 
The  pair  went  to  Havana  for  their  wedding-trip,  and  on  their 
return  went  to  Youngstown  to  live,  as  Mr.  Andrews  desired. 
Mr.  Andrews  had  no  son  and  at  once  adopted  John  A.  Logan, 
Jr.,  as  his  own.  Mr.  Andrews  survived  General  Logan  but  a 
few  years,  and  my  son  continued  to  reside  in  the  Andrews' 
home  until  a  year  or  two  prior  to  going  into  the  service,  in 


432  REMINISCENCES  OF 

1898,  when  he  established  his  home  on  a  farm  near  Youngs- 
town. 

Immediately  after  General  Logan's  death  Senator  Henry 
T.  Harper  introduced  in  the  Illinois  legislature  a  bill  provi 
ding  for  the  erection  of  an  equestrian  statue  of  General  Logan 
in  the  State  of  Illinois,  at  the  same  time  providing  that  I 
should  be  allowed  the  honor  of  selecting  the  location  of  this 
statue.  A  committee  was  appointed  consisting  of  Judge 
William  H.  Blodgett,  Richard  S.  Tuthill,  Judge  Harker  of 
Carbondale,  Illinois,  Hon.  John  R.  Walsh,  and  Hon.  Robert 
T.  Lincoln.  Hon.  John  R.  Walsh  was  appointed  treasurer, 
and  the  award  for  this  statue  was  given  to  Augustus  Saint- 
Gaudens.  He  had  at  this  time  a  number  of  orders  and  found  it 
very  difficult  to  get  himself  into  a  satisfactory  spirit  to  execute 
such  a  statue  as  he  desired.  Therefore  the  committee  in 
dulged  him  very  much  in  his  delays  in  furnishing  the  model 
of  his  conception  of  the  statue.  Finally  he  succeeded  in 
making  the  great  statue  which  is  erected  in  Michigan  Avenue 
Park/on  the  lake  front  in  Chicago.  It  was  unveiled  by  John  A. 
Logan  III,  grandson  of  General  Logan,  on  July  22,  1903, 
on  the  anniversary  of  the  fall  of  McPherson  in  the  battle 
of  Atlanta,  July  22,  1864.  No  work  of  this  illustrious  artist 
has  beeri  more  universally  praised.  John  A.  Logan,  Jr.,  was 
intensely  interested  in  the  erection  of  the  statue  and  pre 
sented  to  Mr.  Saint-Gaudens  a  magnificent  Russian  stallion, 
from  which  the  horse  was  modelled. 

Before  General  Logan's  death  I  had  contracted  to  write  a 
book  on  Washington  for  one  Mr.  Brodix,  then  an  agent  for 
subscription-books.  General  Logan  wrote  the  contract  and 
encouraged  me  to  write  the  book.  I  had  almost  completed 
the  manuscript  for  the  prospectus  setting  forth  the  scope  of 
the  work,  which  I  was  to  deliver  January  i,  1887.  It  was 
impossible  for  me  to  fulfil  my  contract  at  that  time,  and 
Mr.  Brodix,  recognizing  the  impossibility,  kindly  suggested  a 
postponement  for  a  year  or  two  until  I  could  settle  up  my 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  433 

husband's  affairs,  which  was  no  easy  task,  and  bring  myself 
to  think  of  something  besides  the  unspeakable  affliction  which 
had  fallen  so  suddenly  upon  me. 

In  the  autumn  of  1887  Mr.  and  Mrs.  George  M.  Pullman, 
of  Chicago,  urged  me  to  chaperon  their  charming  daughters 
to  Europe  for  as  long  a  stay  as  I  desired  to  remain  on  the 
other  side  of  the  Atlantic.  It  was  a  cold  November  day 
when  Miss  Florence  S.  Pullman  and  her  sister  Harriet  S. 
Pullman  and  I  embarked  on  the  North  German  Lloyd 
steamer  Trave  for  Bremen,  Germany.  It  was  my  first  voyage 
and  I  had  made  every  preparation  for  much  unhappiness 
from  the  effects  of  mal  de  mer.  Through  Mr.  Hudson, 
who  had  sailed  many  times  with  Captain  Villergorod  of  the 
Trave,  we  had  the  pleasure  of  having  the  jovial  captain  with 
us  at  dinner  at  the  Buckingham  Hotel  the  night  before  sail 
ing.  Mr.  Pullman  was  delighted  that  we  were  to  be  in  the 
care  of  Captain  Villergorod,  who  had  crossed  the  ocean 
seventy-five  times  without  ever  having  any  serious  accident. 
After  the  ship  was  under  way  and  the  captain's  duties  were 
disposed  of,  he  called  to  us  saying  his  first  duty  was  to  teach 
us  how  to  walk  on  deck.  Taking  one  of  us  on  each  side  of 
him  and  drawing  our  hands  through  his  arm,  he  bade  us  put 
forward  our  right  foot  as  he  put  his.  We  soon  found  our 
selves  launched  in  a  true  sailor's  gait,  swinging,  following 
the  rolling  of  the  ship  with  rapid  strides.  The  bracing  salt 
air  was  delightful,  and  all  thought  of  seasickness  disappeared. 

There  were  on  board  the  usual  cosmopolitan  group  of  passen 
gers,  a  few  of  whom  were  interesting  people.  Many  amusing 
incidents  occurred  at  the  expense  of  first  voyagers.  On  the 
North  Sea  we  ran  into  a  frightful  storm,  which  lasted  thirty- 
six  hours,  before  we  reached  Bremen.  Ice  and  sleet  covered 
everything;  consequently  the  passengers  were  sent  down  be 
low  and  the  hatches  closed.  Opposite  our  cabin  was  Mr.  C. 
of  New  York,  and  his  family.  On  my  way  to  our  cabin  during 
the  raging  of  the  storm  I  met  Mr.  C.  going  forward.  He 


434  REMINISCENCES  OF 

had  on  his  overcoat  and  stovepipe  hat,  carried  his  hand-bag 
in  one  hand  and  an  umbrella  in  the  other.     I  inquired :  "  Where 
are  you  going,  Mr.  C  ?  "    "  Madam,  are  you  aware  that  we  are 
liable  to  go  down  at  any  moment?"  he  asked.     "I  suppose 
that  is  true,  but  why  take  your  hand-bag,  hat,  and  umbrella?" 
"One  might  be  picked  up,  you  know,  and  why  lose  more  than 
you  have  to  in  such  a  case?"     His  appearance  in  the  salon 
served  to  amuse  the  anxious  passengers  and  break  the  tension 
of  the  inexpressible  suspense  as  the  roaring  waves  beat  upon 
the  tossing  vessel.     Some  one  discovered  that  Captain  Viller- 
gorod  had  been  seized  with  an  acute  attack  of  a  chronic  trouble 
from  which  he  had  suffered  for  years,  and  that  the  second  officer 
had  allowed  the  ship  to  wander  out  of  her  course.     The  dear 
old  captain  realized  the  trouble  as  he  lay  in  his  berth,  and  made 
the  steward  strap  him  to  a  cot  and  carry  him  to  the  bridge. 
There  his  cot  was  fastened  to  the  iron  framework,  and  he 
directed  the  ship  into  the  right  course,  or  Mr.  C.'s  fears  might 
have  been  realized.     After  port  was  finally  reached  and  all 
the  passengers  safely  landed,  we  were  allowed  to  call  upon 
Captain  Villergorod  at  his  home  in  Bremen  to  bid  him  good- 
by,  as  he  was  to  sail  no  more  and  was  retired  soon  afterward. 
Frederick  III  had  not  been  long  dead  when  we  arrived  in 
Berlin.     The  funeral  wreaths  used  when  the  great  Kaiser  Wil- 
helm  I  died  had  not  withered.     Berlin  was  in  deep  mourning 
for  the  two  emperors,  Frederick  III  having  followed  his  illus 
trious  father  to  the  tomb  within  a  few  brief  months.     Bis 
marck  was  then  occupying  his  palace  in  Berlin,  and  we  saw 
him  frequently  walking  in  the  park.     Princess  Bismarck  gave 
the  use  of  their  drawing-rooms  for  a  charity  fair  in  which  she 
took  an  active  part,  receiving  every  one  in  a  most  gracious 
manner.     The   young   Prince   and   Princess   Bismarck   were 
residing  with  their  father  and  mother,  and  were  seen  at  the 
opera  and  concert  after  the  season  began.     Count  and  Count 
ess  Waldersee  we  met  on  several  occasions,  while  the  octo 
genarian    General  von  Moltke  was  among   the   interesting 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  435 

persons  then  in  Berlin.  His  wonderful  achievements,  great 
age,  and  marvellous  activity  frequently  made  him  the  central 
figure  of  assemblages.  The  Empress  Frederick  was  also  in 
Berlin  at  that  time  and  was  probably  the  most  talked-of  per 
son  there.  Her  son  was  about  to  ascend  the  throne.  She 
had  been  watched  by  jealous  eyes  because  of  her  supposed 
English  influence  over  Frederick  III,  and  it  was  feared,  should 
she  remain  in  Berlin,  near  Wilhelm  II  after  he  ascended  the 
throne,  she  might  exercise  undue  influence  over  him.  Her 
aged  mother,  Queen  Victoria,  it  was  then  thought,  might 
abdicate  in  favor  of  her  son,  Prince  of  Wales,  later  King 
Edward  VII;  and  some  alliance  might  be  established  between 
the  rulers  which  would  surrender  to  England  power  over  Ger 
many,  which  would  be  very  distasteful.  Bismarck  had  ever 
been  a  bitter  enemy  of  Victoria  from  the  time  of  her  mar 
riage  to  Frederick  III,  then  Crown  Prince  of  Germany. 
She  was  a  brilliant  woman,  with  all  the  sturdiness  of  char 
acter  of  her  queenly  mother,  and  was  progressive  in  every 
sense  of  the  word.  She  was  very  popular  with  the  people 
because  of  her  philanthropy  and  interest  in  everything  which 
affected  their  welfare.  She  personally  interested  herself  in 
every  movement  for  their  advancement  and  the  development 
of  the  resources  of  the  empire.  It  was  said  that  it  was  at  the 
behest  of  Bismarck  and  those  who  were  influenced  by  him, 
whose  support  the  young  Emperor  felt  he  must  have  in  the 
beginning  of  his  reign,  that  Wilhelm  II  insisted  upon  his 
mother  leaving  Berlin.  She  was  not  in  good  health  and  in  a 
few  years  followed  her  husband  to  the  grave.  Her  daughters 
were  interesting  young  women,  who  have  since  made  marriages 
befitting  their  station. 

Finally  the  day  arrived  for  the  delivery  of  the  proclamation, 
or  rather  coronation  address,  of  Emperor  Wilhelm  II  in  the 
throne-room  of  the  Emperor's  palace.  Mr.  George  H.  Pen- 
dleton,  the  American  minister  to  Germany  (it  was  before  we 
had  ambassadors)  caused  tickets  to  the  gallery  to  be  sent  us, 


436  REMINISCENCES  OF 

and  the  second  secretary,  Mr.  Crosby,  did  us  the  honor  to 
escort  us  to  our  seats.  It  was  an  imposing  spectacle  and  one 
never  to  be  forgotten.  On  one  side  of  the  room  with  its  many 
white  columns  and  marble  floor  was  a  canopied  throne,  with 
two  white  chairs  upholstered  in  red.  Battalions  of  cuirassiers, 
uhlans,  and  many  crack  regiments  of  the  German  army, 
with  their  resplendent  uniforms,  took  their  places.  Then 
came  the  Emperor,  walking  with  solemn  tread,  dressed  in  the 
full  white  uniform  of  the  cuirassiers,  with  the  helmet.  He  was 
escorted  to  the  throne  by  four  of  his  staff,  two  in  front  and 
two  in  the  rear,  a  form  recently  adopted  by  an  American 
President.  After  the  prayer  by  an  eminent  divine  the  Em 
peror  began  to  read  his  address  from  manuscript.  It  was 
in  German,  naturally,  and  as  we  did  not  understand  the 
language,  we  had  to  depend  upon  friends  for  its  interpreta 
tion.  It  was  pronounced  admirable  by  many,  but  no  one, 
on  looking  at  the  youthful  soldier  on  that  day,  would  have 
predicted  that  he  was  to  become  such  a  powerful  ruler.  There 
was  nothing  about  him  which  betrayed  strength  of  character 
or  the  indomitable  will  he  has  since  displayed.  We  lived  at 
the  Fiirstenhof  Hotel  in  Leipziger  Platz,  and  he  passed  under 
our  windows  on  his  frequent  trips  to  Potsdam.  He  was 
always  attended  by  officers  of  his  staff,  and  was  rather  demo 
cratic  in  his  salutations  and  responses  to  salutes  given  him. 

We  were  invited  to  attend  the  opening  of  the  Reichstag, 
and  saw  Bismarck  and  other  illustrious  German  officials  and 
statesmen.  We  heard  the  discussions  on  the  condition  of 
the  German  colonies,  which  was  taken  up  after  what  we  should 
call  "the  morning  hour."  At  the  time  the  colonial  question 
was  of  grave  importance  to  the  German  people.  We  were 
fortunate  in  knowing  a  Mr.  Chrisman  who  had  once  lived  in 
Chicago,  but  who  had  returned  to  his  native  land  and  occu 
pied  a  prominent  position  in  the  government.  He  secured 
for  us  many  privileges  we  should  not  otherwise  have  en 
joyed. 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  437 

We  spent  five  delightful  months  in  Berlin,  the  intelligent 
and  interesting  companionship  of  these  lovely  young  women 
serving  as  a  benediction  to  me  in  winning  me  away  from 
the  gloomy  thoughts  which  would  have  intensified  my  deso 
lation.  Miss  Florence,  the  elder,  as  the  wife  of  Hon.  Frank 
0.  Lowden,  of  Illinois,  has  made  for  herself  an  enviable 
reputation  as  one  of  the  most  charming  women  ever  at  the 
national  capital,  her  keen  intelligence,  gracious  manners,  and 
perfect  poise  fascinating  all  who  knew  her.  Harriet,  now 
Mrs.  Frank  Carolan,  of  Burlingame,  California,  is  also  one 
of  the  most  brilliant  and  beautiful  of  women,  her  kind  heart 
and  generous  sympathetic  nature  endearing  her  to  many 
who  have  been  the  recipients  of  her  bounty. 

In  March  we  began  an  interesting  itinerary  which  took  us 
first  to  Prague  in  Bohemia,  a  quaint  old  city  which  I  can  not 
believe  has  changed  much  in  the  elsewhere  progressive  inter 
vening  years.  From  there  we  went  to  Vienna,  to  my  mind 
one  of  the  most  beautiful  cities  in  Europe.  We  were  greatly 
interested  in  the  grand  Ring  Strasse,  the  magnificent  buildings, 
fine  parks,  and,  best  of  all,  the  superb-looking  people.  The 
court  is  said  to  be  the  most  exclusive  and  at  the  same  time  the 
most  demoralized  in  the  world.  This  may  be  true,  but  cer 
tain  it  is  that  the  people  you  see  at  the  assembling-places  bear 
no  marks  of  degeneracy. 

From  Vienna  we  went  to  Budapesth,  in  Hungary,  where  the 
peasant  class  seemed  to  predominate.  One  of  their  annual 
festivals  was  at  its  height  when  we  were  there,  and  we  saw  the 
young  girls  sitting  on  their  highly  colored  and  decorated  boxes 
or  chests,  which  contained  their  treasures,  waiting  for  swains 
to  sue  for  their  hands  in  marriage.  Their  costumes  and  handi 
work  were  all  of  very  bright  colors.  Returning  to  Vienna  we 
passed  through  the  Austrian  Tyrol  to  Trieste  and  thence  to 
Florence,  Rome,  the  Riviera,  and  to  Nice,  where  Mrs.  Pull 
man  met  us.  After  a  delightful  stay  of  two  or  three  weeks, 
we  went  via  Como  through  the  Saint  Gotthard  tunnel  to  Lu- 


438  REMINISCENCES  OF 

cerne,  Geneva,  and  thence  to  Paris,  where  we  were  joined  by 
Mr.  Pullman. 

From  Paris  we  went  to  London.  Hon.  Robert  T.  Lincoln 
was  our  American  minister  to  England,  and  it  goes  without 
saying  that  we  had  every  consideration  and  enjoyed  many 
invitations  to  social  functions.  We  attended  the  garden 
party  given  by  Queen  Victoria  to  the  Shah  of  Persia  at  Marl- 
borough  House.  We  were  greatly  impressed  by  the  simplicity 
of  the  dress  of  the  Queen.  She  wore  a  plain  black  silk  and  on 
her  head  was  a  lace  cap,  the  counterpart  of  those  worn  by  Eng 
lish  matrons.  She  received  the  guests  sitting  under  a  canvas 
pavilion,  which  was  carpeted  with  red.  The  decorations  were 
not  unusual  for  such  occasions  and  nothing  like  as  handsome 
as  we  see  many  times  at  private  garden-parties  in  our  own 
country.  The  refreshments  were  extremely  simple.  When 
the  Queen  walked  away,  on  the  arm  of  the  Prince  of  Wales, 
later  King  Edward  VII,  she  used  a  cane.  She  was  much 
heavier  than  we  expected  to  see  her,  though  we  knew  she  was 
a  large  woman.  We  were  glad  to  have  seen  the  most  remark 
able  woman  of  the  time,  and  could  understand  the  loyalty  of 
her  subjects,  over  whom  she  reigned  so  many  years. 

We  completed  our  sojourn  in  England  by  a  trip  around  the 
English  lakes,  and  had  a  most  delightful  coaching-tour  through 
the  lake  region,  enjoying  every  moment  of  the  time.  We  then 
returned  to  London,  and  sailed  for  home,  which  we  reached 
in  July,  1890.  In  our  nine  months  of  study  and  travel,  we  had 
allowed  nothing  of  historic  or  other  interest  to  escape  us,  and 
felt  we  had  spent  the  time  profitably  as  well  as  delightfully. 

Before  I  left  Washington  for  Europe  Mr.  Brodix  had 
formed  a  copartnership  with  Mr.  J.  H.  McGowan,  one  of 
God's  noblemen,  for  the  purpose  of  starting  the  Borne  Maga 
zine,  which  was  to  be  founded  on  my  name.  I  was  to  be  the 
editorial  writer,  and  was  to  be  responsible  for  all  manuscript 
accepted.  They  were  to  pay  me  a  good  salary,  and  en 
gaged  an  assistant  who  was  to  take  my  place  in  the  manage- 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  439 

ment  while  I  was  absent  in  Europe,  during  which  time  I  was 
to  send  editorials  and  other  matter  for  the  magazine.  Being 
obliged  to  do  this  work,  and  finding  myself  in  an  interesting 
channel  which  supplanted  the  melancholy  thoughts  suggested 
at  every  turn  at  home,  I  became  absorbed  in  the  delightful 
occupation  and  expected  to  improve  steadily,  so  that  for  the 
remainder  of  my  days  I  should  conduct  the  Borne  Magazine. 
From  the  first  issue  it  was  a  phenomenal  success.  I  worked 
on  it  for  seven  years.  But  finally,  owing  to  financial  compli 
cations  quite  foreign  to  the  conduct  of  the  magazine,  and 
though  our  subscription  and  advertising  lists  were  rapidly 
multiplying,  the  enterprise  failed.  In  the  crash  I  lost  more 
than  a  year's  salary,  simply  because  I  failed  to  draw  it 
regularly,  thinking  I  was  letting  it  accumulate  to  insure  per 
manent  employment. 

In  May,  1891,  my  son  and  his  wife,  my  son's  wife's  sister, 
Miss  Andrews,  and  Mr.  Leslie  Bruce  and  I  sailed  for  England. 
We  had  a  most  enjoyable  summer,  visiting  first  in  the  delight 
ful  English  country  homes  of  which  so  much  has  been  written. 
My  son's  mission  was  to  buy  hackney  horses.  Consequently, 
we  visited  the  most  notable  estates  upon  which  they  were 
raised,  or  places  where  they  were  on  exhibition.  After  spend 
ing  much  time  in  going  from  one  place  to  another,  we  went 
to  Scotland  and  made  a  tour  of  the  lakes.  Much  has  been 
written  of  the  delights  of  a  trip  through  the  Trossachs,  made 
famous  by  the  pen  of  Sir  Walter  Scott.  We  concluded  our 
tour  at  Edinburgh,  and  visited  Melrose  Abbey,  near  Abbots- 
ford.  There  is  a  little  inn  at  the  entrance  of  the  abbey,  where 
we  went  to  arrange  for  our  dinner  at  five  o'clock.  My  son 
called  out:  "Look  on  the  wall  over  the  door  opening  to  the 
dining-room."  I  looked,  and  imagine  my  surprise  to  see  a 
framed  copy  of  Brady's  celebrated  photograph  of  "  Sherman 
and  His  Generals,"  General  Logan  being  in  the  centre  of  the 
group.  We  were  curious  to  know  how  the  photograph  had 
found  its  way  to  the  place  where  it  hung,  and  the  proprietor 


440  REMINISCENCES   OF 

told  us  his  father  had  been  a  soldier  in  our  Civil  War  and  had 
sent  the  picture  home  for  his  son  to  see  his  generals.  We 
lingered  long  to  gaze  upon  the  familiar  picture. 

From  Scotland  we  returned  to  London  and  across  the  Eng 
lish  Channel  to  fascinating  Paris.  As  it  was  midsummer,  the 
races  were  in  progress  and  there  was  much  gayety  during  our 
stay.  The  environment  of  Paris  is  full  of  historic  interest. 
It  is  little  wonder  that,  with  its  innumerable  fascinations, 
Paris  is  the  most  demoralizing  city  in  Europe.  The  people 
live  in  the  parks  and  on  the  boulevards,  many  of  them  taking 
their  meals  on  the  sidewalk  in  front  of  the  restaurants.  The 
city  has  little  of  the  charming  home  life  of  French  families 
in  the  country.  It  was  a  delightful  summer's  outing  and  en 
joyable  to  me  in  having  my  son  and  his  wife  with  me. 

In  1893  I  nad  the  honor  to  be  appointed  by  Hon.  William  A. 
Britton  as  representative  of  the  District  of  Columbia  on  the 
Board  of  Lady  Managers  of  the  Chicago  World's  Columbian 
Exposition.  The  women  had  a  more  conspicuous  part  in  this 
exposition  than  in  any  previous  one.  As  a  matter  of  fact,  the 
exposition  was  the  greatest,  most  complete,  best  located  and 
appointed  of  any  ever  held.  Royalty  and  distinguished  per 
sonages  took  active  part.  The  daily  programme  was  some 
thing  which  has  never  been  equalled.  The  untiring,  indomi 
table  energy  of  the  men  of  the  State  of  Illinois  and  the  city  of 
Chicago  in  making  the  exposition  a  success  was  marvellous, 
and  their  friends  were  abundantly  rewarded.  Every  nation 
and  race  on  the  globe  was  represented,  especially  in  the  Con 
gress  of  Religions,  which  brought  together  the  finest  scholars 
and  most  learned  men  in  the  ecclesiastical  world.  It  is  un 
fortunate  that  the  reports  of  the  proceedings,  speeches,  dec 
larations  of  faith  and  creed  could  not  have  been  more  generally 
distributed,  although  they  were  preserved  in  a  limited  form. 
This  broadened  the  views  of  every  nation,  particularly  our 
own,  and  the  results  have  since  been  fruitful. 

In  1896  Major  Tucker  was  ordered  to  Saint  Paul,  Minne- 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  441 

sota,  and  my  daughter  had  to  leave  me  absolutely  alone  to  ac 
company  her  husband  to  his  new  post.  During  President  Har 
rison's  administration,  on  the  retirement  of  Corporal  Tanner 
as  commissioner  of  pensions,  without  my  knowledge  I  was 
strongly  recommended  as  his  successor.  President  Harrison 
sent  for  me  and  said  it  would  give  him  great  pleasure  to  ap 
point  me  commissioner  of  pensions  if  I  desired  the  position. 
I  realized  the  grave  responsibilities  attached  to  it  and  felt 
unequal  to  assuming  them.  I  none  the  less  appreciated  the 
honor  which  had  been  done  me  by  the  recommendations  of 
my  friends  and  President  Harrison's  willingness  to  comply 
with  their  request. 

January  19,  1895,  I  again  sailed  for  Europe,  this  time  on 
the  Kaiser  Wilhelm  77,  accompanied  by  Mrs.  George  M.  Pull 
man,  her  son  Sanger,  and  Miss  Nina  Gillett.  There  was  on 
board  an  unusual  number  of  charming  people,  among  them 
General  and  Mrs.  Blackmar,  Miss  Brewer,  sister  of  Mrs. 
Blackmar;  Elihu  Vedder,  the  artist;  Professor  Agassiz,  of  Bos 
ton;  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Currey,  Doctor  Schultz,  and  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Converse.  My  companions  were  obliged  to  remain  in  their 
cabins  on  account  of  indisposition.  Fortunately,  I  could  sit 
on  deck,  read,  write,  and  enjoy  my  friends.  I  was  especially 
entertained  by  the  interesting  conversation  of  Professor 
Agassiz,  who,  in  addition  to  his  wonderful  knowledge,  had  a 
fund  of  anecdote  and  real  wit,  and  told  good  stories  with 
inimitable  drollery.  The  usual  concert  given  in  going  and 
coming  from  Europe  was  given  for  the  benefit  of  the  Sailors' 
Home  on  each  side  of  the  Atlantic,  the  generous  passengers 
being  willing  to  pay  for  some  diversion,  albeit  their  contri 
butions  might  never  reach  the  treasury  of  the  Homes. 

For  six  long  days  we  sailed  on  the  broad  ocean  with  only 
the  horizon  to  break  the  boundless  expanse.  The  skies  were 
fickle.  Flitting  clouds  brought  us  sunshine  and  shadow. 
The  air  was  cold  at  times,  but  not  enough  to  mar  the  delight 
of  the  voyage.  The  ship  rolled  but  little,  as  it  was  a  steady 


442  REMINISCENCES   OF 

steamer  which  made  no  effort  at  speed,  but  moved  quietly 
and  majestically  through  the  sea  like  a  thing  of  life.  Between 
walking  the  deck,  resting  on  the  chairs  all  wrapped  up  in  the 
comfortable  robes,  and  visiting  with  interesting  people,  we 
thought  little  of  the  flight  of  time  until,  Friday  A.  M.,  January 
25,  the  mountain  peaks  of  the  Azores  could  be  seen  through 
the  fleecy  clouds  that  were  passing  over  the  sky.  Nearer 
and  nearer  we  came  until  three  P.  M.,  when  the  captain  sent 
for  me  to  come  on  the  bridge.  I  shall  never  forget  the  glory 
of  the  view.  First  Fayal,  with  its  mountainous  centre  and 
rugged  shores,  with  innumerable  white  villages  all  along  on 
the  side  of  the  mountains.  Church-spires  innumerable  and 
quaint  old  windmills  added  picturesqueness  to  the  landscape. 
The  harbor  of  Fayal  is  evidently  an  extinct  crater  of  a  vol 
cano,  with  the  side  next  the  sea  worn  away  by  the  action  of 
the  water.  Opposite  the  lower  end  of  Fayal  lies  Pico. 

A  few  days  later  the  impregnable  Rock  of  Gibraltar  rose 
majestically  before  us,  and  at  last  under  a  lowering  sky  we 
sailed  into  the  Bay  of  Naples.  Notwithstanding  the  fact  that 
Vesuvius  was  covered  with  snow  and  everything  looked  win 
try  enough,  the  spectacle  was  grand,  the  sapphire  blue  of  this 
enchanting  bay  being  always  the  same.  We  spent  several 
days  in  Naples  enjoying  every  moment  of  our  stay.  I  left 
my  party  to  make  a  flying  trip  to  Rome  to  criticise  the  sculp 
tor  Simmons's  work  on  General  Logan's  statue  for  the  city 
of  Washington  and  found  everything  very  satisfactory. 

Shortly  afterward  we  embarked  on  the  Hesperides  for 
Alexandria,  Egypt.  There  were  on  board  a  number  of  agree 
able  passengers,  some  of  them  distinguished  people,  among 
them  Colonel  Logan,  of  the  English  Artillery,  and  Sir  Fred 
erick  Harrison,  the  writer. 

On  the  morning  after  our  arrival  in  Alexandria,  which 
might  be  called  the  "City  of  Obelisks,"  we  started  out  to  see 
the  sights.  The  Pharos  (one  of  the  wonders  of  the  world)  has 
passed  away,  but  on  the  ruins  a  modern  lighthouse  has  been 


A   SOLDIER'S  WIFE  443 

erected,  which  is  one  of  the  first  objects  in  view  near  this 
ancient  city.  We  had  delightful  drives  through  the  fine  gar 
dens  which  seemed  elysian  in  their  beauty. 

From  Alexandria  to  Cairo  the  journey  is  uninteresting,  but 
the  moment  you  enter  Shepheard's  Hotel  in  Cairo,  you  feel 
that  you  are  in  a  cosmopolitan  city;  and  if  you  will  sit  on  the 
veranda  an  hour,  you  will  see  representatives  from  every 
nation  on  the  face  of  the  globe  wearing  costumes  of  their 
native  land.  Smart  turnouts  from  England  and  France  side 
by  side  with  those  of  the  Khedive,  with  the  sais  running  in 
front  dressed  in  bright  colors,  their  lithe,  bare  limbs  carrying 
them  as  swiftly  as  the  four-footed  animals  behind  them  can 
trot.  Americans,  Englishmen,  Frenchmen,  Germans,  Arabs, 
Nubians,  Turks,  Greeks,  Jews,  Indians,  rush  up  and  down 
the  streets  as  if  bent  on  some  important  business.  English 
soldiery,  infantry  and  cavalry,  are  in  evidence  everywhere, 
as  England  holds  a  mortgage  on  Egypt  that  will  not  be  paid 
for  many  generations. 

While  in  Cairo,  we  visited  the  Pyramids  which  rise  like 
gigantic  mountain  peaks  from  the  boundless  desert,  and  were 
so  much  impressed  with  their  magnitude  and  grandeur  that 
I  had  no  words  with  which  to  express  my  admiration.  We 
went  to  the  bazaars  and  found  them  as  (so  often  described) 
revoltingly  dirty  and  unattractive.  We  visited  the  grounds 
and  museum  of  Gizeh,  the  citadel  of  the  old  prophets  of  the 
dervishes,  the  tombs  of  the  Khalifs,  the  Egyptian  cemeteries, 
and  the  ostrich  farms,  attended  the  ball  given  by  the  Khedive 
in  the  magnificent  Palace  of  Abdin,  and  went  to  Sakhara  to 
visit  the  step  Pyramid  and  the  Mosque  of  Amir,  on  all  hands 
being  beset  by  the  dirtiest  and  most  repulsive  of  beggars. 

Our  party  decided  against  a  trip  up  the  Nile,  a  pleasure  to 
be  enjoyed  a  few  months  later.  In  February  we  sailed  for 
Brindisi,  Italy.  Thence,  via  Rome  and  the  Riviera,  to  Paris 
and  London,  and  from  London  home.  My  daughter,  Mrs. 
Tucker,  having  remained  in  Saint  Paul,  I  yielded  to  the  im- 


444  REMINISCENCES  OF 

portunities  of  friends  to  play  chaperon  to  a  party  of  young 
ladies.  The  Misses  Koon,  of  Minneapolis,  the  Misses  Dous- 
man  and  Miss  Paul,  of  Wisconsin,  were  of  the  party — and 
five  more  intellectual,  companionable  young  women  could 
not  be  found  in  any  country.  On  November  6,  1895,  I 
again  embarked  for  Europe.  Our  itinerary  was  via  the  Med 
iterranean.  Landing  at  Naples,  we  visited  Rome,  Florence, 
and  Milan  in  Italy;  thence  to  Brindisi,  en  route  to  the  Holy 
Land,  via  Greece  and  Turkey.  Passing  the  beautiful  island 
of  Corfu,  we  landed  to  visit  the  lovely  palace  of  Elizabeth, 
Empress  of  Austria.  The  exquisite  gardens,  magnificent  stat 
uary  and  appointments  made  this  an  enchanting  retreat. 
Our  ship  was  abominable,  and  we  breathed  a  sigh  of  relief 
when  we  landed  at  Patras.  We  hurried  to  Athens  for  a  so 
journ  of  several  weeks,  each  day  furnishing  something  more 
interesting  than  the  preceding.  One  who  has  not  visited 
Athens  can  form  no  idea  of  the  impression  made  by  actually 
seeing  the  specimens  of  the  masterful  art  that  once  made 
Greece  the  queen  of  art. 

A  short  journey  by  train  brings  you  to  the  ruins  of  Olym- 
pia.  The  German  Government  has  made  extensive  excava 
tions,  rescuing  the  most  exquisite  specimens  of  Greek  art 
from  the  bosom  of  mother  earth,  where  they  have  been  buried 
for  so  many  years.  The  careful  study  of  these  indefatigable 
scientists  and  archaeological  students  who  have  made  such 
wonderful  and  laborious  investigations  enables  one,  in  im 
agination,  to  rebuild  and  repeople  the  lost  city  which  once 
occupied  the  devastated  area.  The  American  and  Russian 
legations,  through  Mme.  Bakmeteff  (nee  Miss  Beale  of 
Washington),  bestowed  upon  us  such  generous  hospitality 
that  we  were  loath  to  take  our  departure. 

We  left  Patras  in  the  early  morning  on  board  a  very 
uncomfortable  ship  bound  for  Alexandria,  thence  to  Cairo. 
After  enjoying  Cairo  for  some  weeks,  we  decided  to  go  up 
the  Nile  on  a  Cook  steamer  as  far  as  Assuan.  We  con  tern- 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  445 

plated  chartering  a  dahabiyeh,  but  after  investigating  the 
condition  of  these  "house-boats,"  we  concluded  we  would  not 
endure  the  discomforts,  bad  table,  the  proximity  of  the  Arab 
boatman,  and  the  reported  vermin  which  infest  these  an 
tiquated  vessels.  Cook's  boats  were  delightful — clean,  com 
fortable,  and  with  a  good  menu  every  day.  As  we  passed 
the  dahabiyeh  and  realized  the  tediousness  of  a  trip  on  them, 
we  congratulated  ourselves  on  the  decision  we  had  made.  The 
Misses  Koon,  the  Misses  Dousman,  Miss  Ann  Paul,  and  my 
self,  with  Doctor  J.  D.  Rushmore,  Mr.  Taylor,  Mr.  Curtis, 
and  Mr.  Dodge  made  a  delightful  party  of  ten.  Our  itinerary 
provided  for  a  stop  at  every  interesting  point  between  Cairo 
and  Assuan.  It  would  take  volumes  to  describe  in  detail 
the  ruins  of  the  marvellous  temples,  cities,  and  tombs  on  either 
side  of  the  slow-flowing  Nile.  Many  of  them  were  some  miles 
from  the  river  whose  shifting  sands  have  changed  the  channel 
of  this  desert  stream.  One  looks  many  times  in  wonder  at 
the  tombs  of  the  sacred  bulls  made  of  almost  black  granite, 
the  dimensions  of  which  are  astonishingly  great,  and  imme 
diately  begins  to  conjecture  how  these  huge  blocks  of  granite 
could  have  been  transported  to  their  present  position  from 
the  quarries  above  Luxor  or  Assuan,  the  nearest  possible 
point  at  which  granite  appears  in  the  desert  waste  of  upper 
Egypt. 

Returning  to  Cairo  from  Assuan,  where  we  spent  a  few  days, 
we  proceeded  to  Alexandria,  where  we  embarked  on  a  very 
good  steamer  for  Spain,  making  a  tour  of  that  country  just 
prior  to  the  Spanish-American  War.  We  visited  the  Alham- 
bra,  arriving  in  Seville  in  time  to  witness  the  ceremonies  of 
the  church  during  Holy  Week,  and  spent  Easter  Sunday  at 
tending  the  bull-fight,  witnessing  its  revoltingly  brutal  fea 
tures.  From  Seville  we  went  to  Cordova  to  visit  the  famous 
church  of  many  arches.  From  Cordova  we  journeyed  to 
Madrid,  the  most  interesting  city  in  Spain,  where  there  are 
many  art  treasures.  From  Madrid  we  went  to  Paris,  where 


446  REMINISCENCES  OF 

we  were  joined  by  my  son,  John  A.  Logan,  Jr.,  and  his  family, 
my  son's  friend  Gallonay,  and  Mrs.  Washington  A.  Robeling, 
nee  Emily  Warren,  sister  of  General  Warren,  of  Gettysburg 
fame.  From  Paris  our  party,  with  the  exception  of  my  son's 
family,  who  went  to  Switzerland,  went  to  Moscow,  Russia,  to 
attend  the  coronation  of  the  Czar  and  Czarina  in  May,  1896. 
This  was  one  of  the  most  remarkable  events  of  the  nine 
teenth  century,  which  beggars  description.  From  Moscow 
we  went  to  Saint  Petersburg,  and  thence  via  the  Gulf  of  Fin 
land  and  the  Gottenborg  Canal  to  Stockholm,  Sweden,  Nor 
way,  Denmark,  and  to  The  Hague,  Holland.  From  Holland 
we  went  to  London,  and  finally  reached  home  safely  after 
an  experience  of  nine  months  of  consuming  interest  and  great 
profit,  intellectually  and  physically. 

In  1898  war  was  declared  in  Cuba.  My  son  determined 
to  enter  the  service.  He  was  appointed  an  adjutant-general 
on  Major-General  John  C.  Bates's  staff  and  he  served  in  that 
capacity  until  hostilities  ceased  in  Cuba,  having  taken  part 
in  the  battles  of  San  Juan  Hill,  Santiago,  and  other  engage 
ments.  He  was  attacked  with  malarial  fever  and  I  met  him 
at  Montauk  Point.  While  waiting  for  his  arrival  I  tried  to 
do  all  I  could  for  the  returning  troops,  many  of  whom  were 
in  a  wretched  condition  from  malarial  diseases.  In  May, 
1898,  Dewey  having  sunk  the  Spanish  fleet  and  captured 
Manila,  it  became  necessary  for  the  Government  to  occupy 
the  Philippine  Islands.  At  first  it  seemed  there  was  to  be  no 
resistance,  but  Aguinaldo  renewed  hostilities,  and  my  son 
again  entered  the  service  as  major  of  the  3d  Battalion, 
33d  Infantry,  commanded  by  Colonel  Hare.  He  liked  the 
service  in  the  line  better  than  that  of  the  staff.  In  August 
he  joined  his  regiment  at  San  Antonio,  Texas,  where  they 
were  ordered  to  San  Francisco  to  sail  for  Manila  in  Octo 
ber.  On  their  arrival  in  Manila  he  found  General  Lloyd 
Wheaton,  an  aid  on  his  father's  staff  at  the  close  of  the  Civil 
War,  watching  for  his  arrival,  as  General  Wheaton  wanted 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  447 

my  son's  regiment  to  join  his  command.  He  desired  to  have 
Major  Logan  with  him,  as  he  was  greatly  attached  to  Jack 
as  the  son  of  his  old  commander.  Major  Logan  helped  get 
General  Otis  to  make  the  assignment  and  they  embarked  for 
northern  Luzon  in  a  few  days  with  General  Wheaton's  com 
mand.  Major  Logan  was  impatient  for  active  service  and 
was  very  ambitious  to  capture  Aguinaldo.  General  Wheaton 
allowed  him  to  make  the  first  reconnoissance  the  night  after 
they  landed.  The  next  morning,  November  n,  1899,  he 
begged  General  Wheaton  to  allow  his  battalion  to  have  the 
advance.  He  was  on  the  point,  gallantly  leading  his  bat 
talion  of  the  33d  Infantry  against  Aguinaldo's  intrenched 
troops  at  San  Jacinto,  northern  Luzon,  when  a  Filipino 
hidden  by  the  dense  foliage  of  a  cocoanut-tree,  shot  one  of 
his  sergeants.  Major  Logan  stooped  over  to  administer  the 
first  aid  to  the  brave  sergeant,  when  the  same  man  in  the 
tree  fired  the  fatal  shot  which  instantly  killed  our  only  son. 
This  shock  again  prostrated  me  for  a  long  time.  After  his 
father's  death  all  my  ambitions  centred  in  my  idolized  son, 
and  could  he  have  lived  I  am  quite  sure  he  would  have  ful 
filled  all  my  expectations.  He  was  the  counterpart  of  his 
father  in  appearance,  temperament,  and  aspirations.  He  was 
but  thirty-six  years  old,  but  had  a  well-thought-out  plan  to 
add  to  the  glory  of  the  name  he  bore.  He  left  a  lovely  wife 
and  three  children — two  daughters  and  a  son — all  of  whom 
are  now  grown  to  manhood  and  womanhood.  The  eldest,  a 
daughter,  is  married  and  lives  abroad,  greatly  to  my  distress. 
John  A.  Logan  III  bids  fair  to  be  a  worthy  scion  of  his  illus 
trious  grandfather  and  father.  He  is  a  graduate  of  Yale, 
and  was  married  September  2,  1913,  to  Miss  Margaret  Pow 
ell  of  Saint  Joseph,  Missouri.  He  has  established  his  home 
at  Youngstown,  Ohio.  He  is  patriotic  in  the  highest  degree, 
a  member  of  the  Ohio  national  guard,  ready  and  anxious  for 
orders  should  his  State  or  country  need  his  services.  The 
youngest  child,  Edith  Josephine  Logan,  has  a  decided  talent 


i^>  REMIXISCEXCES  OF 

for  sculpture,  and  has  already  modelled  some  fine  works, 
Unfortunately,  we  must  live  each  his  own  life  and  can  not 
always  have  about  us  the  few  dear  ones  whom  death  has 
not  claimed. 

President  McKinley.  in  trying  to  comfort  me  at  the  time 
of  my  sons  death,  said:  "Dear  Mrs.  Logan,  do  not  forget 
that  in  that  brief  moment  he  immortalized  himself  more  than 
he  could  have  done  had  he  lived  fifty  years.  His  father, 
could  he  have  chosen  his  end,  would  rather  have  had  him  die 
gallantly  leading  his  command  in  battle  than  in  any  other 
way."'  John  Hay,  America's  peerless  diplomat,  wrote  me: 
"Dear  Mrs.  Logan:  It  should  be  some  consolation  to  you  that 
few  women  have  had  such  a  husband  and  such  a  son  to 
lose/' 

That  my  son  immortalized  himself  and  added  lustre  to  the 
name  of  Logan  could  but  gratify  the  heart  of  a  doting  mother, 
but  could  not  fail  to  deepen  the  incurable  wound  of  his  un 
timely  death.  Bereft  of  father,  husband,  and  son,  I  had  to 
face  the  world  alone  with  no  one  to  whom  I  could  appeal  for 
advice  and  assistance  in  times  of  trouble.  But  good  friends 
came  to  me  in  my  desolation,  and  to  them  I  owe  even-thing 
that  I  am  and  have  achieved. 

General  Logan's  statue  in  Washington  was  being  made  by 
Franklin  Simmons  in  Rome,  As  soon  as  Mr.  Simmons  could 
complete  the  statue,  which,  as  I  have  already  said,  I  had  seen 
and  criticised  in  Rome,  he  brought  it  to  Washington.  It  is 
an  unusual  statue,  as  the  pedestal  is  in  bronze  as  well  as  the 
figures  of  the  horse  and  man.  There  are  bas-reliefs  on  either 
side  of  the  pedestal,  showing  the  dual  career  of  General 
Logan  as  soldier  and  statesman.  On  the  west  side  of  the 
pedestal  is  represented  a  council  of  war,  ^"•^ppfH  of  such  dis 
tinguished  officers  as  Blair,  Mower,  Leggett,  and  Dodge,  who 
are  considering  the  topography  of  the  country  about  Atlanta 
from  a  map  which  lies  on  the  table.  A  young  staff-officer  is 
also  in  the  group.  On  the  south  end  is  the  female  figure 


A  SOLDIKR'S  WIFE  449 

representing  "War,"  and  on  the  north  end  another  graceful 
figure  representing  "Peace."  The  senatorial  group,  showing 
Voorhecs,  Thurman,  Vice-President  Arthur,  C'onkling,  Cul- 
lom,  Miller,  and  Slocum,  depicts  General  Logan  in  the  act  of 
taking  the  oath  of  office  as  a  senator. 

The  preparations  for  the  unveiling  of  this  monument 
were  planned  by  General  Hingham,  superintendent  of  public 
grounds,  and  Frederick  Owen;  and  a  more  complete  pro 
gramme  could  not  po  .  ,ibly  have  been  arranged.  President 
McKinley  delivered  the  oration  of  the  day,  and  addresses  were 
made  by  Senators  Shelby  M.  Cullom  and  Chauncey  M. 
Depew,  while  the  members  of  President  MeKinley' :-,  cabinet 
occupied  the  platform. 

This  is  without  question  the  finest  statue  in  this  country 
because  of  its  repose  and  artistic  merit,  to  say  nothing  of  the 
fine  likeness  to  General  Logan  and  the  well-modeller!  horse. 
It  was  unveiled  by  General  Logan's  grandson,  George  Kdwin 
Tucker,  the  little  son  of  Mrs.  Mary  Logan  Tucker.  The 
family  of  Major  Logan  was  then  in  Kurope  and  were  not  pres 
ent  at  the  unveiling.  It  was  infinitely  gratifying  to  me  to  have 
been  spared  to  witness  the  completion  of  Saint-Gaudens's 
equestrian  statue  in  Michigan  Avenue  Park,  Chicago,  erected 
by  the  State  and  personal  friends  of  Illinois,  and  the  one  in 
Logan  Circle  in  the  national  capital  erected  by  Congress,  the 
Society  of  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee,  the  Grand  Army  of  the 
Republic,  and  personal  friends  as  a  tribute  to  General  Logan 
as  the  "gr^test  volunteer  soldier"  of  the  Civil  War  and  an 
incorruptible  statesman. 

The  Spanish-American  War  was  fortunately  of  brief  dura 
tion,  but,  like  all  wars,  brought  daily  its  sorrows  and  anxieties, 
especially  to  the  big-hearted  President  McKinley,  who  was 
wholly  engrossed  with  the  prodigious  affairs  affecting  our 
nation,  our  army,  our  navy,  and  the  people  in  whose  behalf 
we  had  interfered.  Mrs.  McKinley  being  an  invalid,  there 
was  really  little  attention  paid  to  social  or  frivolous  affairs. 


450  REMINISCENCES  OF 

Before  peace  was  actually  established  in  the  Philippines  Presi 
dent  McKinley's  term  was  nearing  its  close.  He  was  re- 
nominated  for  President  with  Theodore  Roosevelt  as  candi 
date  for  the  Vice-Presidency,  both  of  whom  were  elected  in 
November.  Alas!  President  McKinley  did  not  long  survive 
his  second  inauguration,  but  was  assassinated  while  extend 
ing  the  hand  of  cordial  greeting  to  a  brute  in  human  form.  His 
death  added  one  more  to  the  list  of  martyred  Presidents,  each 
of  whom  were  men  of  kindly  spirit  and  generous  impulses 
and  who  were  governed  by  the  Golden  Rule  in  all  their  rela 
tions  with  mankind.  Their  charity  and  generosity  were 
boundless,  their  patriotism  broad,  their  courage  unflinching, 
and  yet  demons  in  human  form  cut  them  down  and  ended 
in  a  twinkling  their  great  work  for  humanity. 

In  1902  Mr.  Hearst  urged  me  to  accept  a  position  on  the 
syndicate  staff  of  his  newspapers.  For  seven  years  I  fur 
nished  them  two  manuscripts  per  week  on  various  topics. 
From  Mr.  Hearst  and  the  manager  of  the  syndicate,  Mr.  C.  J. 
Mar,  I  at  all  times  received  the  most  distinguished  considera 
tion.  After  Mr.  Hearst's  rescue  of  Evangeline  Cisneros  from 
the  Spanish  prison  in  Cuba,  I  became  her  guardian  under  the 
laws  of  the  District  of  Columbia  and  kept  her  with  me  con 
stantly  until  her  marriage  to  Mr.  Carbonell,  of  Havana.  I 
have  always  considered  it  a  special  providence  to  have  had 
this  employment,  which  prevented  me  from  dwelling  upon  the 
melancholy  events  that  seemed  to  pursue  me. 

Since  I  severed  my  connection  with  the  Hearst  syndicate 
in  1909  I  have  contributed  to  various  papers  and  magazines. 
In  1910-11,  assisted  by  my  daughter  Mrs.  Mary  Logan 
Tucker,  I  wrote  the  large  volume  entitled,  "The  Part 
Taken  by  Women  in  American  History,"  intending  by  it  to 
accord  to  all  American  women  of  every  creed  and  condition 
their  full  credit  for  work  actually  done  in  the  advancement 
and  welfare  of  mankind  and  the  progress  of  their  country.  In 
1913  I  contributed  to  the  Cosmopolitan  magazine  in  a  series 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE  451 

of  ten  articles  the  first  part  of  this  Autobiography  under  the 
title  "The  Story  of  a  Soldier's  Wife." 

Under  the  brightest  and  darkest  of  skies  I  have  passed  more 
than  a  half-century  at  the  national  capital,  surrounded  all  the 
while  by  the  most  illustrious  people  of  my  own  and  other 
countries.  I  have  been  familiar  with  the  great  events  and 
movements  that  have  made  America  and  Americans  what 
they  are,  and  I  honor  the  men  and  women  great  and  small 
who  have  had  a  part  in  the  building  of  this  peerless  Republic, 
which  guarantees  to  all  men  life,  liberty,  and  the  pursuit  of 
happiness. 


INDEX 


Abbott,  295,  296 

Actors  and  actresses,  86 

Adairsville,  155 

Adams,  Mrs.  Abigail,  365 

Agassiz,  Professor,  441 

Aguinaldo,  446,  447 

Alabama  claims,  235 

Albert,  colored  boy,  148-151 

Alcan,  Doctor  L.,  246 

Aldrich,  Mr.,  332 

Alexandria,  193 

Alexis,  Grand  Duke,  260,  368 

Alger,  General  Russell  A.,  427 

Allen,  Major  Robert,  215 

Allen,  Honorable  W.  J.,  39,  51 

Alley,  Honorable  John  B.,  410 

Ailing,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  John,  333 

Allison,  Senator  William  B.,  232,  236, 
342,  343 

Alton,  Illinois,  27,  28 

Ames,  Mary  Clemmer,  298,  325,  394, 
4i7 

Ames,  General  Oakes,  232,  294,  308 

Andersonville  Prison,  222 

Andrews,  Miss  Edith,  424,  431,  439 

Annapolis,  280,  321 

Anthony,  Senator,  232,  337,  376,  410, 
420 

Apple-parings,  9 

Archer,  236 

Arlington,  245,  282 

Arlington  Hotel,  the,  227,  350 

Armours,  the,  335 

Army,  grand  review  of,  193-196;  re 
duction  of,  to  peace  basis,  278,  279 

Army  Corps,  Fifteenth,  143,  152,  155, 
156,  159,  161,  162,  165,  171,  186, 
188-190;  Sixteenth,  156,  165,  169, 
171;  Seventeenth,  128,  134,  138, 
IS6,  165 


Army  of  Chattanooga,  198 

Army  of  the  Cumberland,  165,  198 

Army  of  the  East,  155 

Army  of  the  Mississippi,  104 

Army  of  the  Potomac,  193,  195,  306, 

367 

Army  of  the  Tennessee,  128,  143, 152, 
156,  159-163,  165,  169-172,  177, 
185,  187,  193,  195,  196,  199,  208, 
209,  353,  354,  384,  387,  388,  426, 
449;  Society  of  the,  170 

Army  of  the  West,  136,  137,  142 

Arnold,  222 

Arter,  Captain,  124,  125 

Arthur,  President  Chester  A.,  320, 
405,  407,  409,  410,  412,  415-420, 
427,  449 

Arthur,  Miss  Nellie,  416 

Arthur,  Prince,  260 

Aspinwall,  W.  H.,  251 

Athens,  Greece,  444 

Atlanta,  145,  152,  154-157,  *6i,  162, 
165,  167,  169,  171,  173,  174,  176- 
179,  181,  185,  186,  189,  193,  195, 
198,  257,  353,  432 

Auger,  General  C.  C,  389 

Aulick,  Mrs.  Commodore,  271 

Ayers,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Enos,  335 

Babcock,   General  O.   E.,  229,   230, 

253,  259,  357 

Badeau,  General,  229,  230,  253 
Baker,  Senator  Edward,  85 
Bakmeteff,  Mme.  (Miss  Beale),  444 
Baldwin  Hotel,  San  Francisco,  427 
Baltimore,  223,  317,  426 
Bancroft,  George,  419 
Bandy,  Mr.  William,  145 
Banks,  84,  236 
Barker,  Florence,  220 


453 


454 


INDEX 


Barker,  John  C.,  388 

Barker,  Lewis,  230 

Barkesdale,  73,  84 

Barnum,  Mrs.  H.  M.,  325 

Barrett,  Dick,  72 

Barton,  Clara,  220 

Bascom,  Reverend  Doctor,  20 

Bash,  Senator  and  Mrs.  D.  M.,  375 

Batchelder,  General  and  Mrs.,  339 

Bateman,  Kate,  229 

Bates,  Major-General  John  C.,  240 

Bates,  Professor,  240 

Baxter,  Doctor,  429 

Bayard,  Senator  Thomas,  236,  298, 

321,375,410 
Beale,    General   and   Mrs.    Edward, 

408,  417,  419 
Beale,  Emily  (Mrs.  J.  R.  McLean), 

401,  406 

Beardsley,  Colonel,  285 
Beardstown,  Illinois,  66 
Beaufort,  189 
Beauregard,  127-129 
Beck,  Senator,  375 
Beecher,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Jerome,  335 
Belknap,  Secretary  W.  W.,  302,  323, 

325,  345,  350 

Belknap,  Mrs.  W.  W.,  302,  323 
Belmont,   Missouri,    103;    battle   of, 

115-117,  120,  286 
Benjamin,  Senator  Judah  P.,  73,  82, 

85 

Benjamin,  Mrs.,  268 
Benton,  39-41,  48,  58 
Bentonville,  190,  198 
Berlin,  434,  435,  437 
Berry,  General,  285 
Bethemy,  M.,  237 
Bey,  Dean  Blacque,  233,  237,  324 
Bickerdike,  Mother,  118 
Big  Black,  battle  of  the,  137 
"Big  Muddy  Bridge,"  113 
Big  Shanty,  165 
Bingham,  232,  236,  449 
Bird's  Point,  119 
Bishop,  Captain  J.  T.,  216 
Bismarck,  Prince  and  Princess,  434- 

436 

Bissell,  Governor,  58 
"Bit  Act,"  the,  29 


Black,  General  John  C.,  374 
Blackmar,  General  and  Mrs.,  441 
Elaine,  Alice,  205,  417 
Elaine,  Emmons,  205,  206 
Elaine,  James  G.,  205,  206,  232,  236, 

255,  256,  266,  298,  304,  357,  358, 

39i,  398,  399,  402,  404,  4n,  412, 

414,  417-423 
Elaine,  Mrs.  James  G.,  205,  378,  394, 

417,  418 

Elaine,  J.  G.,  Jr.,  205 
Blair,  General  Frank,  143,  156,  165, 

166,  352,  448 

Blodgett,  Judge  William  H.,  432 
Bloomington,  Illinois,  62,  63 
Blow,  Henry  T.,  337 
Board  of  Public  Works,  277 
Bodisco,  Minister  and  Mrs.,  84 
Boetti,  229 
Boone,  D.  L.,  60 
Booth,  the  elder,  86 
Booth,  Edwin,  222,  223 
Booth,  John  Wilkes,  222-224 
Booth,  Senator,  236 
Borie,  Secretary  Adolphe,  245,  252 
Boston,  426 

"Boston,"  colored  boy,  201,  202 
Bouligny,  Mr.  and  Mrs.,  84 
Boutwell,  George  S.,  232,  236,  245, 

252,  323 

Boutwell,  Mrs.  and  Miss,  270,  323 
Bowen,  Major,  246 
Bowles,  Samuel,  261,  316 
Bradley,  60,  75,  403 
Brady,   84;   his   "Sherman  and  His 

Generals,"  439 
Brady,  Justice,  415 
Branchville,  198 
Breckenridge,  Senator  and  Mrs.  John 

C,  75,  82,  84 
Breeze,  Judge  Sydney,  51 
Bremen,  Germany,  433,  434 
Brewer,  Miss,  441 
Brewster,  Benjamin  H.,  419 
Bridgeport,  152 
Briggs,  Mrs.  Olivia,  325,  417 
Brignoli,  229 

Britton,  Honorable  William  A.,  440 
Brodix,  Mr.,  432,  438 
Brooks,  Preston,  306 


INDEX 


455 


Brooks,  Captain  Thorndike,  380,  381, 

383 

Bross,  Ex-Governor  and  Mrs.,  333 
Bross,  Jessie  (Mrs.  Lloyd),  333 
Brown,  B.  Gratz,  316,  317 
Brown,  Colonel,  233 
Brown,  Mrs.  S.  P.,  339 
Brown's  Hotel,  72,  73,  74,  79,  185 
Browning,  Secretary,  226,  237,  238 
Bruce,  Sir  Frederick,  228 
Bruce,  Mr.  Leslie,  439 
Bruce,  Senator,  376 
Buchanan,  President,  63,  65,  74,  81 
Budapesth,  437 
Bull  Run,  396 
Burchard,  298,  422 
Burlingame,  Hon.  Anson,  84 
Burnside,  General,  250 
Burnside,  Senator,  376 
Butler,   Blanche    (Mrs.   Ames),    226, 

239 
Butler,  General  and  Mrs.,  226,  227, 

232,  234,  236,  239,  266,  267,  280, 

281,  415 
Butterfield,  General,  251 

Cairo,  Illinois,  101-105,  107,  109-115, 
117-119,  121,  124,  141,  193,  195, 
206,  211,  228,  443,  444 

California,  gold-discovery  in,  28 

Calvin,  H.  D.,  60 

Cameron,  Senator  and  Mrs.  James 
Donald,  340,  358,  375,  389,  391, 
398,  400-402,  406,  407,  417 

Cameron,  Senator  Simon,  205,  236, 
340,  341,  401,  406 

Campbell  and  Rice,  debate  between, 

23 

Campbellite  Baptist  Church,  organi 
zation  of,  23 

Camp-meetings,  18-20 

Capron,  General  and  Mrs.  Horace, 
273,  274 

Carbondale,  Illinois,  93,  95,  96,  100, 
110-112,  142,  173,  178,  183,  200, 
203,  206,  213,  282,  290,  363 

Carbonell,  Mr.,  450 

Carpenter,  Senator  Matthew  H.,  272, 
298,  336,  339,  375,  398,  4i2 

Carr,  Colonel  Clark  E.,  285,  420 


Carroll  Hall,  Washington,  228 

Casey,  Annie,  31 

Catacazy,  Madame,  261,  297 

Cattell,  A.  G.,  337 

Caulfield,  B.  T.,  60 

Cellini,  229 

Centennial    Exposition    (1876),    336, 

351,352 

Cerruti,  Chevalier,  241 
Chambrun,  Count  Marquis  de,  297 
Champion  Hills,  battle  of,  137 
Chancellorsville,  306 
Chandler,    Mrs.    William    E.    (Miss 

Hale),  79,  83 
Chandler,  Senator  Zachary,  232,  236, 

261,  266,  298,  344,  345,  398 
Chandlerville,  Illinois,  67 
Charleston,  165,  198;  forts  in  harbor, 

87 
Chase,  Chief  Justice,  237,  238,  249, 

252,  272,  300,  301 

Chase,  Kate  (Mrs.  Sprague),  300,  301 
Chase,  Miss  Nettie,  239,  300 
Chattanooga,  143,  152,  155,  198 
Chetlain,  General,  388 
Chicago,   59-62,    290-294,   310,   326, 

329-335,  348,  362,  364,  374,  384- 

387,  398,  400,  401,  406,  420,  422- 

424,  426-428,  432,  440,  449 
Chickamauga,  143,  165 
Chipman,  General  N.  P.,  243,  245 
Chrisman,  Mr.,  436 
Christiancy,  Senator  and  Mrs.,  268, 

269 
Christmas-tide  festivities,   13-17;  at 

Carbondale,  183-185 
Churches,  17,  23 

Cincinnati,  187,  303,  305,  357,  426 
Cisneros,  Evangeline,  450 
City  Hotel,  Cairo,  no 
City  Point,  181,  186 
Claflin,  Mrs.,  394 
Claggett,  Kilburn,  277 
Claiborne's  Cavalry,  157 
Clark,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  John  M.,  335 
Clarke,  Hon.  Sidney,  246 
Clements,  Captain  Isaac,  285 
Cleveland,  Grover,  420,  421,  423 
Clifford,  Judge,  237 
Clingman,  Mr.,  84 


INDEX 


Clinton,  Illinois,  64,  66 

Clay,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  C.  C.,  84 

Clay,  Henry,  20 

Clayton,  General  Powell,  406 

Clymer,  236 

Cobb,  Mr.  and  Mrs.,  335 

Cochrane,  Senator,  84 

Cockrell,  Senator,  376 

Coggswell,  Mrs.,  325 

Cogswell's  "Grant  and  His  Family," 

229 

Cohen,  Miss,  237 
Coif  ax,  Schuyler,  226,  230-234,  236, 

241,  247-250,  268 
Colfax,  Mrs.,  268 
Collins,  William  T.,  245 
Colorado,  327-329 
Coltrin,  Isaac  N.,  216 
Columbia,  189,  198 
Columbian  Exposition,  440 
Columbus,  Kentucky,  103,  104,  115 
Comstock,  General,  229,  230 
Conger,  Senator,  412 
Congress,  members  of,  232,  236,  298, 

337-345,  375-377 
Congressional  Record,  the,  397,  398, 

400 
Conkling,  Senator  Roscoe,  232,  236, 

252,  298,  307,  338,  375,  391,  398, 

403,  407,  409,  410,  412,  413,  417, 

419,  420,  422,  449 

Connelly,  Major  and  Mrs.  J.  A.,  375 
Constantine,  Grand  Duke,  368 
Converse,  Mr.  and  Mrs.,  441 
Cook,  236 

Coolbaugh,  Mr.  and  Mrs.,  335 
Corcoran,  419 
Corinth,  Mississippi,   123,   127,   129, 

130,  152 
Corkhill,  Colonel,  banquet  given  by, 

163,  164,  168,  354,  414 
Corn-huskings,  9 
Cosmopolitan,  the,  450 
Cotton,  Sallie,  31 
Courts  and  court  customs,  50-54 
Covington,  157 
Cox,  Gabriel,  99 
Cox,  General  Jacob  D.,  245,  252 
Cox,  Hon.  and  Mrs.  S.  S.,  72 
Coyle,  Mr.  and  Mrs.,  84 


Cragin,  Senator  A.  H.,  248,  321 

Craske,  Mr.  J.  H.,  425 

Crawford,  Hon.  N.  C.,  39,  40 

Credit  Mobilier,  308 

Creswell,  Postmaster-General  John 
A.,  246,  252,  274,  324,  325,  345 

Creswell,  J.  S.,  337 

Crittenden,  Senator  and  Mrs.  John 
J.,  77,  82,  84,  96 

Crook,  General,  389 

Crosby,  Mr.,  436 

Crutchfield,  132-134 

Cuba,  252,  253,  446 

Cullom,  Governor,  385,  388,  389,  420 

Cullom,  Senator  Shelby  M.,  230,  232, 
236,  424,  449 

Cunning,  Captain  George  H.,  216 

Cunningham,  H.  B.,  91,  92,  97,  381 

Cunningham,  Captain  John  M.,  3,  4; 
enlists  for  Mexican  War,  26; 
elected  captain,  26,  27;  meets 
Lieutenant  John  A.  Logan,  27;  goes 
to  California,  28,  29;  appointed 
registrar  at  Shawneetown,  29;  38; 
illness  of,  311,  313,  314;  315;  death, 

325 

Cunninghams,  the,  31 
Currey,  Mr.  and  Mrs.,  441 
Curtin,   Governor,  of  Pennsylvania, 

250 

Curtis,  Mr.,  445 
Curtiss,  Captain  J.  S.,  388 
Gushing,  Caleb,  96 
Cushman,  Charlotte,  86,  87 
Cushman,  Colonel  W.  H.,  67 
Custis,  George  Washington  Parke,  256 
Cutts,  Adele,  see  Mrs.  Douglas 
Cutts,  Mrs.  Madison,  84 

Dahlgren,  Admiral  and  Mrs.,  250,  275, 

355,417 
Dallas,  155,  198 
Daughters  of  Veterans,  221 
Davis,  Hon.  David,  68,  361,  372,  377, 

417,  419 
Davis,  Jefferson,  78,  82,  232,  250,  267, 

3i7 

Davis,  Mrs.  Jefferson,  82 
Davis,  Mrs.  John,  417 
Davis,  Judge,  237 


INDEX 


457 


Davis,  Louis,  322 

Davis,  Theodore,  393 

Dawes,  Senator,  376 

De  Bille,  Mr.,  233,  237,  239 

Decatur,  Illinois,  156,  165,  168,  171, 
215,  217 

Decoration  Day,  1868,  244-246 

De  Grass,  159 

De  Havilland,  Major  John,  84 

Delano,  Secretary  and  Mrs.  Colum 
bus,  273,  324,  325 

Delano,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  John,  324 

Denning,  Hon.  W.  A.,  51 

Dennison,  W.,  337 

Dent,  Colonel,  245,  248,  253 

Dent,  General,  229,  230 

Dent,  Miss,  347 

Dent,  Mrs.,  233 

Denver,  220 

Department  of  the  Columbia,  337 

Depew,  Chauncey  M.,  449 

Devens,  Attorney-General  Charles 
A.,  393 

Dewey,  Admiral,  446 

Diaz,  President  and  Sefiora,  395 

Dickens,  Charles,  227,  228 

Dickey,  H.  T.,  60 

Dickey,  Judge,  389 

Dill,  Valentine,  230 

Dillon,  Mrs.  Hettie  A.,  letter  from, 
48,49 

Distin,  Colonel  William  L.,  285 

District  of  Columbia,  276,  277;  re 
organization  of,  336,  337;  440 

Dixon,  Senator,  237 

Doan,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  J.  W.,  335 

Dodge,  General  Granville  M.,  156, 
169-171,  358,  448 

Dodge,  Mr.,  445 

Doherty,  Hon.  John,  51 

Dolby,  Mr.,  228 

Donelson,  Fort,  99,  122-125, 141, 152, 
155,  iQS,  197,  286,  356 

Doolittle,  Senator,  237 

Dorris,  George  P.,  3 

Douglas,  J.  W.,  277 

Douglas,  Senator  Stephen  A.,  57-68, 
75-78,  82,  83,  85,  93,  96,  176 

Douglas,  Mrs.  Stephen  A.  (Adele 
Cutts),  58,  59,  75,  82,  84 


Douglass,  Frederick,  325,  419 

Dousman,  Misses,  444,  445 

Drake,  Senator,  298 

Drexel,  Miss,  347 

Drummand,  Judge,  60,  389 

Dubois,  J.  K.,  230 

Duncan,  Hettie  A.,  see  Mrs.  Dillon 

Dunlap,  Colonel,  124 

Dunlap,  Miss,  85 

Dunlevy,  Mr.  and  Mrs.,  335 

Du  Pont,  250 

Durbin,  Father,  at  Saint  Vincent's, 

30,  33,  34 

Durham,  James,  150 
Dusenberry,  Bishop,  315 
Duval,  Mrs.  General,  424 
Dyer,  Hon.  Thomas,  60 

Eads,  Miss,  424 

East  Point,  156,  177 

Edinburgh,  Scotland,  439 

Edinburgh,  Duke  of,  260 

Edisto,  189,  198 

Edmunds,  Senator,  298,  378,  379,  420 

Edmunds,  Mrs.,  379 

Edward  VII,  435,  438 

Edwards,  Reverend  Doctor,  402 

Egypt,  442-445 

Eliason,  Elias  A.,  225 

Ellsworth,  193 

Emancipation  Proclamation,  the,  140- 

144,  172,  175 

Emery,  General  and  Mrs.,  84 
Emery,  Matthew,  229 
Equality,  inn  at,  39,  40 
Errett,  Reverend  Mr.,  348 
"Etiquette  at  the  American  Court," 

269,  272 

Evans,  John,  230 
Evarts,  Hon.  William  M.,  356 
Evarts,  Mrs.  William  M.,  392 
Evening  Post,  quoted,  285-287 
Ewing,  Captain  M.  E.,  388 
Ezra  Chapel,  battle  of,  161,  162,  198 

Fair,  Senator,  412 

Fairs,  Franklin  County,  44-47 

Fallows,  Bishop,  389 

Farnsworth,  John  F.,  76,  236,  298 


458 


INDEX 


Farragut,  Admiral,  237,  250;  unveil 
ing  of  statue  of,  411 

Farrar,  Miss,  242 

Farwell,  C.  B.,  374 

Farwell,  J.  V.,  &  Company,  292 

Fayal,  442 

Fayetteville,  189 

Fenton,  Governor,  of  New  York,  250 

Fenton,  Senator,  236,  298,  338 

Ferry,  Senator,  298 

Fessenden,  Senator,  232,  236,  298 

Field,  B.  F.,  251 

Field,  Cyrus  W.,  419 

Field,  Justice,  310 

Field,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Marshall,  334 

Filkins,  E.  A.,  388 

Filley,  Chauncey  L,  406 

Filley,  Mrs.  Chauncey  I.,  404 

Fish,  Miss  Edith  (Mrs.  Northcote), 
261,  268,  347,  356 

Fish,  Hamilton,  211,  245,  251-253, 
261,  268,  299,  323,  325,  350 

Fish,  Mrs.  Hamilton,  211,  268-270, 
323,356 

Fletcher,  Sue,  35 

Fletcher,  General  Thomas  C.,  389 

Flood,  Colonel  Martin,  215 

Folger,  Judge,  419 

Foote,  Miss,  298 

Ford,  John  T.,  222 

Forney,  John  W.,  261,  298 

Forrest,  86 

Foster,  Governor,  420 

Foulke,  Mr.  and  Mrs.,  76,  85 

Fourth  of  July,  celebration  of,  13 

Freedman's  Bureau,  the,  162,  193; 
investigation  of,  337 

Frelinghuysen,  Miss,  347 

Frelinghuysen,  Senator  Frederick  T., 
236,  239,  298,  417,  419 

Frederick  III,  434,  435 

Frederick,  Empress,  435 

Frye,  General  Jacob,  60 

Fuller,  General,  388 

Fuller,  S.  W.,  60 

Fiirstenhof  Hotel,  Berlin,  436 

Gage,  D.  A.,  60 

Galena,  Illinois,  105,  141,  384-386 

Gallonay,  446 


Garcia,  Don  Jose  Antonio,  237,  239, 

324 

Garfield,  President,  23,  232,  236,  266, 
355,  378,  3795  nomination  and  elec 
tion  of,  404-409;  inauguration,  410- 
412;  assassination  of,  413-415;  417, 
418;  memorial  meeting,  419 
Garfield,  Mrs.  James  A.,  379,  410,  412 
Garfield  Memorial  Hospital,  429 
Garfield,  Miss  Mollie,  410,  411 
Garfield,  Mrs.,  Senior,  410,  412 
Garnett,  Doctor,  85,  429 
Gayoso  House,  Memphis,  130 
Gear,  Governor,  of  Iowa,  385,  389 
Genevieve,  Sister,  at  Saint  Vincent's, 

33 

Georgetown,  256,  309 

Gerolt,  Baron,  233,  237,  239,  297 

Gettysburg,  193,  257,  306 

Gibson,  Port,  137 

Gillett,  Miss  Nina,  441 

Gilmer,  313 

Globe,  the,  397,  398,  400 

Gobright,  L.  A.,  261,  324 

Goddard,  Josie,  31 

Goldsboro,  189-191 

Goodloe,  W.  C.,  230 

Gordon,  Senator  John  B.,  304,  342 

Gorman,  Mr.  George,  255 

Grand  Army  of  Progress,  the,  215 

Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  organi 
zation  of,  214-216;  declaration  of 
principles,  216,  217;  224,  225,  243, 
244,  264,  265,  266,  282,  294,  427, 

449 

Grand  Pacific  Hotel,  Chicago,  330 
"Grangers,"  359,  360 
Grant,  Colonel  Fred  D.,  229,  260, 347- 

349,  354 

Grant,  Jesse,  229,  241,  260,  347 
Grant,  Nellie,  229,  241,  260;  marriage 

of,  346-348,  3495  354 
Grant,  General  U.  S.,  114,  119-123, 
125-130,  137-140,  155,  J65,  167, 
168,  170,  172,  177,  181,  183,  185- 
188,  191,  192,  224;  nomination  of, 
226;  229;  reception  of  nominating 
committee,  230,  231;  232,  233,  237, 
239,  241,  245;  inauguration,  247- 
250;  251;  cabinet  of,  252;  253,  254, 


INDEX 


459 


256-259,  261-264,  267,  268,  273, 
282,  297-300,  304-306,  309,  310, 

316,  317;  re-election  of,  318;  inau 
guration,  320-323;  cabinet  of,  325; 
329,  336,  337,  34i,  345-347,  349, 
350,  353>  354,  356,  357,  37o,  378, 
380;  welcome  to,  at  Galena  and 
Chicago,  384-389;  39°,  39i,  394, 
399;  defeated  by  Garfield  as  can 
didate  for  President,  401-407;  408, 
411,  419,  420;  death  of,  426 
Grant,  Mrs.  U.  S.,  229,  231,  233,  239, 
245,  248,  250,  258-261,  262,  267, 
269,  272,  299,  300,  309,  322,  323, 

346,  347,  349,  356,  384-388,  408, 
419 

Grant,  Ulysses  S.,  Jr.,  229,  241,  260, 

347,  348 

Grass,  Colonel  Daniel,  215 
"Great  Conspiracy,  The,"  426 
Greeley,  Horace,  250,  261,  316,  317 
Greenmount     Cemetery,     Baltimore, 

223 

Greenough,  Mrs.,  84 
Gresham,  General  W.  Q.,  389 
Grey,  Earl  de,  260,  261 
Grimes,  Senator,  237 
Guiteau,  Charles,  414 
Gunn,  Doctor  and  Mrs.,  333 
Gwyn,  Senator  and  Mrs.,  82,  83 

Hale,  Eugene,  345 

Hale,  Major  John  H.,  216 

Hale,  Representative,  236 

Hale,  Senator  John  P.,  79,  83,  412 

Hall,  George  R.,  225 

Hall,  Miss,  348 

Halleck,  General,  129,  130 

Haller,  Mrs.,  86 

Halsey,  Mr.,  230 

Halstead,  Murat,  261,  316,  324 

Hamilton,  Gail,  298 

Hamilton,  Doctor  James,   215,  397, 

429 

Hamlin,  Senator  Hannibal,  236,  338 
Hamlin,  Mrs.  Hannibal,  339 
Hampton,  Captain,  27 
Hancock,  General,  250,  419 
Hardee,  General,  155,  159,  161 
Hare,  Colonel,  446 


Harker,  General,  156 

Harker,  Judge,  432 

Harlan,  Miss  Edith,  417 

Harlan,  Hon.  James  A.,  227 

Harnia,  Andrew,  60 

Harper,  Senator  Henry  T.,  432 

Harris,  73,  84,  205,  230,  401 

Harrisburg,  400,  406 

Harrison,  Mayor,  388,  389 

Harrison,  Sir  Frederick,  442 

Harrison,  President,  441 

Harry,  Uncle,  slave  at  Saint  Vincent's, 

31-33^ 

Harvesting,  9 
Harvey,  R.  F.,  223 
Havard,  Captain,  336 
Hawkes,  Colonel  B.  F.,  215 
Hawley,  Senator  J.  R.,  230,  298,  352, 

412,  420 

Hayden,  Major  and  Mrs.,  294 
Hayden,  Professor,  294 
Hayes,  Miss  Fanny,  395 
Hayes,  President,  307,  358,  360,  362, 

366,  367,  369,  370,  378,  393,  408, 
410 

Hayes,  Mrs.  Rutherford  B.,  307, 365- 

367,  369,  37°,  39i,  392,  394,  4io 
Hazen,  Mrs.  George,  417 
Healey,  Miss  Mary  E.,  325 
Healy,  Robert,  60 

Heap,  Elder,  20 
Hearst  Syndicate,  450 
Hedrik,  J.  M.,  230 
Helmbold,  321,  322 
Hendershott,  William,  388 
Henderson,  General  John  B.,  236,  306 
Henderson,  Mrs.  John  B.,  417 
Hendricks,  Thomas  A.,  339,  420,  421, 

423 
Henry,  Fort,  122,  123,  141,  152,  195, 

286 

Henry,  Professor,  275 
Hermanus,  Herr,  229 
Hesperides,  the,  442 
Hill,  Fort,  138-140 
Hill,  Senator,  375,  397,  411,  417 
Hilton,  Judge,  251 
Hitz,  Mr.  John,  246 
Hoar,  Judge  E.  R.,  252 
Hoar,  Senator,  403 


460 


INDEX 


Holcomb,  Major,  135 

Holden,  J.  W.,  230 

Home  Magazine,  the,  438,  439 

Home    Missionary    Society,    Mrs. 

Hayes's  address  before,  368,  369 
Honore,  Ida-Marie  (Mrs.F.D.  Grant), 

348,  349,  354 

Hood,  General,  159,  173,  186,  188 
Hooper,  Mr.,  227,  232,  239,  306 
Hoover,  Major  J.  H.,  135,  136,  142 
Hopper,  Henry,  211 
Hot  Springs,  Arkansas,  429 
Hotaling,  Colonel,  135,  142 
Houston,  Miss,  348 
Howard,  General  O.  O.,  161, 162,  164- 

166,  169,  170,  172,  177,  186,  193, 

iQS,  337,  353 

Howard,  Senator,  236,  298 
Howe,  Captain  Henry  F.,  215 
Howe,  Julia  Ward,  250 
Howe,  Senator,  389,  419 
Hoxie,  General,  394,  424 
Hoxie,  Mrs.  Vinnie  Ream,  394,  411, 

4i7 

Hoyt,  Mr.,  251 
Hudson,  Mr.,  433 
Humphrey,  Solon,  251 
Hunt,  375,  411 
Huntsville,  152,  155,  168,  171 
Hurlbut,  General  S.  A.,  217,  389 
Hutchinson,  Mr.  and  Mrs.,  430 
Hyde,  Sydney,  298 

Illinois,  regiments  of:  Seventh,  341; 
Twenty-first,  388;  Twenty-second, 
113;  Twenty-seventh,  113;  Thir 
tieth,  113;  Thirty-first,  109,  112, 
113,  117,  139,  189,  206;  Seventy- 
second,  130 

Illinois  River  and  Hennepin  Canal, 
289,  420 

Indian  Reservation,  Black  Hills,  356 

Indianapolis,  217,  423 

Ingalls,   Senator  John   J.,  343,   344, 

355 

Ingalls,  Mrs.  John  J.,  344 
Ingersoll,  Robert  C.,  389 
Isabella,   Sister,   at   Saint  Vincent's, 

30-36 
Italy,  443,  444 


James,  Thomas  L.,  411 

Japan,  204,  274,  309 

Japanese,  274, 386;  Japanese  embassy, 

reception  to,  308,  309 
Jefferson,  Joe,  86 
Jefferson,  Thomas,  269,  272 
Jeffreys,  Miss  Nannie,  356 
Jenkins,  Captain  A.  M.,  189 
Jewell,  Marshall,  250,  345 
Jewett,  Mrs.,  417 
Johnson,  President,  180, 192,  221-226, 

232,  235,  236,  238,  240-242,  254, 

256,  258 

Johnson,  Frank,  240,  241 
Johnson,  Reverdy,  227 
Johnston,  General,  154-156,  190,  191 
Joint  High  Commission,  the,  260,  261 
Joliet,  2ii 

Jones,  Hon.  A.  M.,  375 
Jones,  Mr.  Daniel,  332 
Jones,  Senator,  341,  375,  415 
Jonesboro,  161,  198 
Joslyn,  Senator  and  Mrs.,  375 
Joy,  Mr.,  404 

Kaiser  Wilhelm  II,  the,  441 

Kalakaua,  King  David,  260,  349,  350 

Kana,  Captain  M.  F.,  216 

Keit,  73 

Kellogg,  Clara  Louise,  350 

Kellogg,  Hon.  William  Pitt,  76,  85, 

236,  298,  341,  342 
Kelly,  Captain,  228 
Kendall,  Amos,  246 
Kendall  Green  College  for  Deaf 

Mutes,  411 

Kenesaw  Mountain,  155, 156, 195, 198 
Kennon,  Mrs.,  256 
Kernan,  Senator,  397 
Ketchum,  J.  H.,  337 
Key,  Mrs.,  392 
King,  Hon.  Horatio,  84,  355 
Kingston,  155 

Kirkwood,  Samuel  J.,  411,  412 
Knights  of  the  Golden  Circle,  142, 

149-151 

Knoxville,  165,  166 
Koon,  the  Misses,  444,  445 
Kuykendall,  Major,  in 
Kuykendall,  Mary,  31 


INDEX 


461 


Laflin,  Hon.  Mr.,  246 

La  Fontaine,  Elizabeth  Hicks,  3 

Lamar,  Senator  L.  Q.  C.,  376,  383 

Lanagan,  Thomas,  60 

Lander,  Jean  Davenport,  355 

Lane,  Miss  Harriet,  74,  81 

Lanier    home,    the,    131,    132,    134, 

135 

Lanman,  Charles,  325 
Lead  Mine  Regiment  from  Galena, 

the,  105 
Lee,  General  Robert  E.,  85,  161,  193, 

200,   208,   256,   257 

Lee,  T.  F.,  230 

Leggett,  448 

Leipold,  L.  H.,  337 

Leiter,  Mr.  L.  Z.,  332 

Leland  Hotel,  Springfield,  284,  372, 

374 

L'Enfant,  277 

Lester,  Mr.  and  Mrs.,  335 

Levy,  Miss,  348 

Libby  Prison,  242 

Lightfoot,  Captain  John  A.,  215 

Lincoln,  President,  54;  in  debate  with 
Douglas,  60-68;  76,  77;  inaugura 
tion  of,  78,  79;  80,  83;  call  to  arms, 
87,  88;  89;  Emancipation  Procla 
mation,  144,  150;  162,  166,  167;  re 
election  of,  173-180,  183,  185;  as 
sassination  of,  191-193,  200;  207, 
209,  210,  222-225,  227>  235>  252> 
^258,  300,  306,  340,  395,  396 

Lincoln,  Mrs.  Abraham,  417 

Lincoln,  Doctor,  430 

Lincoln,  Hon.  Robert  T.,  411,  413, 
420,  432,  438 

Lippincott,  Mrs.,  325 

Livingstons,  the,  84 

Lloyd,  Henry  D.,  333 

Lochiel,  401 

Lockwood,  Mrs.  Mary  S.,  364 

Logan,  C.  A.,  303 

Logan,  Doctor  C.  A.,  372 

Logan,  Cornelius,  301,  303 

Logan,  Dollie,  see  Mrs.  Tucker 

Logan,  Edith  Josephine,  447 

Logan,  Eliza,  see  Mrs.  George  Wood 

Logan,  Commander  George,  284 


LOGAN,  GENERAL  JOHN  A.: 
Friendship  with  Captain  Cunning 
ham,  27;  marriage,  39;  fame  as  a 
lawyer,  51,  52;  elected  to  Illinois 
legislature,  57;  arraignment  of 
Governor  Bissell,  58;  nominated  for 
Congress,  58;  admirer  of  Douglas, 
68;  resigns  seat  in  Congress  to  enter 
army,  68,  69;  election  to  Thirty- 
seventh  Congress,  70;  counsels  peo 
ple  of  Marion,  89-91;  goes  to  Wash 
ington,  91 ;  makes  address  at  Marion 
and  recruits  regiment,  97-100;  in 
camp  at  Cairo,  107-114;  persuades 
three-months'  men  to  re-enlist,  113; 
expedition  up  the  Tennessee  and  the 
Cumberland,  121-123;  wounded  at 
Fort  Donelson,  123-127;  sets  out 
for  Shiloh,  128;  in  command  of 
First  Brigade,  Seventeenth  Army 
Corps,  128;  advice  rejected  by 
Halleck,  129;  in  camp  at  Memphis, 
130-136;  friendship  with  McPher- 
son,  131;  illness  of,  132,  134;  sere 
naded  by  troops,  134;  members  of 
staff,  135;  at  siege  of  Vicksburg, 
136-139;  in  command  of  post  at 
Vicksburg,  139,  140;  transfers  com 
mand  to  General  Maltby  and  goes 
to  Carbondale  to  take  part  in 
political  campaign,  141-144;  as 
signed  to  command  of  Fifteenth 
Army  Corps,  143;  reaches  Chat 
tanooga  too  late  for  battle,  152;  at 
Huntsville,  prepared  for  Atlanta 
campaign,  152;  wounded  at  Dallas, 
155;  in  attack  on  Kenesaw  Moun 
tain,  155,  156;  receives  orders  from 
Sherman,  157;  assumes  command  on 
death  of  McPherson,  158;  descrip 
tion  of  McPherson's  death,  158; 
captures  De  Grass's  battery,  159; 
praised  by  Sherman,  160,  162; 
superseded  by  General  Howard, 
160,  161;  at  Jonesboro,  161;  re 
stored  to  command  of  Army  of  the 
Tennessee,  162,  163;  tribute  to 
Sherman,  163;  Sherman's  letter  to, 
164-166;  reply  to  Sherman,  167, 
1 68;  Sherman's  reasons  for  remov- 


462 


INDEX 


ing  from  command  of  Army  of  the 
Tennessee  and  General  Dodge's 
report  concerning,  169-172;  takes 
active  part  in  political  campaign  at 
Lincoln's  request,  173-180;  letter 
from  Chicago  Post  to,  176;  letter 
from  Sherman,  177;  ordered  to  re 
port  to  Grant  at  City  Point,  181; 
called  to  Washington  and  ordered 
to  relieve  General  Thomas,  185, 186; 
advises  attack  on  Nashville,  187; 
returns  to  his  corps,  187,  188;  the 
march  through  the  Carol  inas,  188- 
191;  in  camp  at  Raleigh,  191; 
ordered  to  Alexandria,  193;  rein 
stated  in  command  of  Army  of  the 
Tennessee,  193;  in  grand  review  of 
Union  Army  at  Washington,  193- 
196;  order  to  officers  and  soldiers 
before  disbanding,  196-199;  re 
turns  to  home  in  Carbondale,  201; 
resigns  from  army,  203;  requested 
to  be  ready  to  serve  as  minister  to 
Mexico,  204;  declines  ministry  to 
Japan,  204;  elected  congressman-at- 
large,  204;  commander-in-chief  of 
the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic, 
217,  218;  chosen  house  manager  in 
Johnson  impeachment,  225;  defends 
Mr.  Wade,  234,  235;  visits  battle 
fields  of  Virginia  and  city  of  Rich 
mond,  242,  243;  issues  order  for 
first  decoration  of  soldiers'  graves, 
243-245;  originator  of  Decoration 
Day,  246;  intimacy  with  Grant, 
259;  enormous  correspondence,  264, 
265;  Grant's  confidence  in,  267; 
advocates  removal  of  capital  to 
Saint  Louis,  276;  bill  for  reorganiza 
tion  of  army  on  peace  basis  adopted, 
278,  279;  checkmates  Butler  in 
Whittemore  case,  280,  281;  secures 
honorable  burial  for  General  Raw- 
lins,  282;  successful  campaign  for 
senatorship,  283-289;  secures  ap 
propriation  for  Illinois  River  and 
Hennepin  Canal,  289;  removal  to 
Chicago  and  the  great  fire,  290-293; 
on  the  military  and  other  commit 
tees,  294;  the  Abbott-Ransom  case, 


295,  296;  defence  of  Grant  in  Con 
gress,  304,  305;  entertainment  of 
Japanese  embassy,  308;  campaign 
ing  for  Grant  and  Wilson,  310,  311; 
prospecting  in  Colorado,  327-329; 
attends  opening  of  Centennial  Ex 
position,  352;  Sherman's  criticism 
°f»  352-354;  illness  of,  356;  sena 
torial  defeat  by  Granger  movement, 
359-362;  takes  up  again  practice  of 
law,  363;  re-elected  to  the  Senate, 
371-374;  return  to  Washington, 
375;  Lowe's  attack  on,  380-383; 
public  measures  advocated  by,  383, 
384;  work  on  the  Fitz-John  Porter 
case,  395-398;  controls  Illinois  con 
vention  of  1880,398-400;  campaign 
ing  for  Garfield,  406,  407;  confers 
with  Garfield  concerning  cabinet  ap 
pointments,  413;  introduces  bill  to 
grant  pension  to  Mrs.  Lincoln,  417; 
on  waterways  committee,  420;  nomi 
nated  Vice-President,  420;  recep 
tion  to,  in  Washington,  420;  wel 
come  to  Chicago,  420;  receives 
ovation  at  Philadelphia,  421;  hon 
ored  at  Springfield,  421;  aggres 
sive  campaign  of  1884,  421-423; 
return  to  the  Senate,  425,  426; 
visits  General  Grant,  426;  writes 
"The  Great  Conspiracy,"  426;  en 
thusiastic  reception  in  San  Fran 
cisco,  427,  428;  illness  and  death, 
429-431;  Saint-Gaudens's  eques 
trian  statue  of,  432,  449;  Simmons's 
statue  of,  in  Washington,  448,  449; 
statue  in  Logan  Circle,  Washing 
ton,  449 

LOGAN,  MRS.  JOHN  A.: 

Birth  of,  3;  parents  and  grandparents, 
3, 4;  education,  4,  5;  girlhood  tasks, 
5-7;  amusements,  8-17;  father  en 
lists  for  Mexican  War,  26;  at  Saint 
Vincent's,  29-37;  girlish  escapades, 
33-35;  meets  Lieutenant  Logan,  38; 
marriage  and  wedding  journey,  39- 
41;  early  housekeeping,  41-44; 
"fair- week,"  44-47;  cottage  at  Ben- 
ton,  48;  birth  of  two  eldest  children 
and  death  of  first-born,  48;  assists 


INDEX 


463 


General  Logan  in  legal  routine,  50, 
51;  meets  Mrs.  Douglas,  59;  im 
pression  of  President  Lincoln,  61, 
62;  hears  Lincoln-Douglas  debates, 
64-68;  journey  to  Washington,  71- 
73;  at  Brown's  Hotel,  73;  a  cab 
adventure,  74;  New  Year's  Day, 
1860,  at  the  White  House,  74,  75; 
assists  Mrs.  Douglas  at  reception, 
75;  witnesses  Lincoln's  inaugura 
tion  procession,  79;  entertainments 
at  the  capital,  81-86;  first  state 
dinner,  81-83;  attends  famous  mas 
querade  ball,  84,  85;  the  inaugura 
tion  ball  (1861),  85;  return  to  home 
in  southern  Illinois,  88,  89;  trying 
situation  at  Marion,  91;  eldest 
brother  joins  Confederate  army, 
91,  92,  97;  canvasses  Williamson 
County,  93;  goes  to  Carbondale  to 
meet  General  Logan,  93-96;  dis 
guised,  listens  to  General  Logan's 
speech  at  Marion,  97;  sends  and  re 
ceives  despatches,  100;  sees  depar 
ture  of  recruits,  106;  first  night  in 
camp,  107;  hardships  of  camp  life 
at  Cairo,  109,  no;  makes  success 
ful  journey  north  for  hospital  sup 
plies,  110-112;  goes  to  "Big  Muddy 
Bridge,"  113;  ministers  to  wounded 
after  the  battle  of  Belmont,  116- 
118;  hears  that  General  Logan  is 
severely  wounded  and  goes  to  Fort 
Donelson,  123-127;  returns  to 
Murphysboro,  128;  joins  General 
Logan  at  Memphis,  130;  acts  as 
amanuensis  and  messenger,  132; 
frees  Colonel  Stolbrand's  clerk,  132; 
secures  leave  of  absence  for  Colonel 
Stolbrand,  133;  returns  home,  136; 
at  Fort  Hill,  140;  at  Carbondale 
during  political  campaign  of  1863, 
142;  work  among  the  destitute 
contrabands  and  blacks,  146,  147; 
protects  colored  "Albert"  from 
Knights  of  the  Golden  Circle,  148- 
152;  helps  bury  soldier's  child,  153; 
accompanies  General  Logan  on 
political  campaign  of  1864,  178- 
180;  Christmas  at  Carbondale,  183- 


185;  welcomes  returning  volun 
teers,  203;  birth  of  John  A.  Logan, 
Jr.,  203;  residence  at  Willard's 
Hotel,  Washington,  205;  retro 
spective  glance  over  the  early  six 
ties,  206-210;  death  of  mother,  211, 
212;  social  Washington  during 
winter,  1867-8,  226-231;  reception 
at  the  Grants',  230,  231;  a  memo 
rable  day  in  Congress,  232-234; 
New  Year's  reception,  1869,  at  the 
White  House,  236,  237;  state  din 
ners,  240;  reception  given  by  Presi 
dent  Johnson's  daughters,  240,  241; 
visit  to  battle-fields  of  Virginia  and 
city  of  Richmond,  242,  243;  at 
Grant's  inauguration  and  inaugural 
ball,  247-251;  reception  to  Earl  de 
Grey,  261;  assists  General  Logan 
with  official  correspondence,  264, 
265;  calls  on  Mrs.  Christiancy,  269, 
270;  research  work  in  connection 
with  reorganization  of  army,  279; 
accompanies  General  Logan  to 
Springfield  on  senatorial  campaign, 
284;  Evening  Post  article  concern 
ing,  285-287;  social  duties  in  Wash 
ington,  289,  290;  removal  to  Chi 
cago,  290;  the  great  fire,  291-293; 
return  to  Washington,  294;  work 
on  the  Abbott-Ransom  case,  295, 
296;  New  Year's  reception,  1872, 
at  the  White  House,  297-299;  re 
ceives  many  dinner  invitations,  300; 
death  of  adopted  daughter,  302, 
303;  illness  of  father  and  journey 
to  Provo,  Utah,  311-315;  accom 
panies  General  Logan  in  Grant 
campaign,  315-318;  social  duties  in 
Washington,  318-320;  at  second 
inauguration  of  Grant,  320-322; 
the  inaugural  ball,  323,  324;  death 
of  father  and  second  journey  to 
Utah,  325,  326;  the  Chicago  strikes 
of  1873,  329>  33°;  dinner  at  Grand 
Pacific  Hotel,  330,  331;  New  Year's 
Day,  1874,  in  Chicago,  331,  332; 
neighbors  in  Chicago,  332-335; 
Nellie  Grant's  wedding  at  White 
House,  346,  347;  Colonel  F.  D. 


464 


INDEX 


Grant's  wedding  in  Chicago,  348;  at 
the  Centennial  Exposition,  352; 
New  Year's  Day,  1875,  at  the  White 
House,  354;  disposes  of  property  in 
southern  Illinois,  362,  363;  mar 
riage  of  daughter,  364;  two  winters 
at  Mrs.  Rhine's  boarding-house  in 
Washington,  364,  365,  369;  recep 
tion  to,  by  citizens  of  Springfield, 
374?  375>  welcomes  General  and 
Mrs.  Grant  at  Galena,  384-386; 
at  Chicago,  387-390;  New  Year's, 
1880,  and  state  dinner  at  the  White 
House,  391-393;  reception  to  Presi 
dent  Diaz,  395;  assists  General 
Logan  with  correspondence  during 
Illinois  convention,  400;  visit  to 
Senator  and  Mrs.  Cameron,  400, 
401;  Garfield's  inauguration  and 
inaugural  ball,  410;  entertainment 
of  French  and  German  officers,  417, 
418;  attends  Garfield  memorial 
meeting,  419;  at  President  Arthur's 
first  state  dinner,  419;  accompanies 
General  Logan  on  campaign  of  1884, 
421-423;  New  Year's  reception, 
1885,  in  Washington,  424;  purchase 
of  home  in  Washington,  426,  427; 
visit  to  San  Francisco,  427,  428; 
illness  and  death  of  General  Logan, 
429-431;  marriage  of  son,  431; 
nine  months  of  study  and  travel 
in  Europe,  433~438;  in  Berlin, 
433-437;  conducts  the  Home  Maga 
zine,  438,  439;  second  European 
trip,  439,  440;  appointed  member 
of  Board  of  Lady  Managers, 
Columbian  Exposition,  440;  offered 
appointment  as  commissioner  of 
pensions,  441;  trip  to  Europe  and 
Egypt,  441-443;  again  sails  for 
Europe,  444;  trip  up  the  Nile,  444, 
445;  European  travel,  445,  446;  at 
Montauk  Point  to  meet  son,  446; 
death  of  son  in  the  Philippines,  447, 
448;  contributor  to  various  papers 
and  magazines,  450;  guardian  of 
Evangeline  Cisneros,  450;  writes 
"The  Part  Taken  by  Women  in 
American  History,"  450 


Logan,  John  A.,  Jr.,  203,  205,  211, 
242,  284,  322,  364,  395,  427,  431, 
432,  439,  440,  446-448 
Logan,  John  A.,  Ill,  432,  447 
Logan,  John  Cunningham,  57 
Logan,  Kate,  211,  284,  294,  301-303 
Logan,  Thomas  A.,  303 
Logan,  William  H.,  48,  58 
London,  438,  440 
Longstreet,  General  James,  257 
Lookout    Mountain,    143,    145,    155, 

193 
Loomis,  Colonel  and  Mrs.  John  M., 

335 

Looney,  Captain,  99,  117 
Lord,  Mrs.,  417 
Louisiana  imbroglio,  the,  336 
Louisville,    168,   187,  196,   201,   208, 

209 

Lovejoy,  Owen,  76 
Lowden,  Hon.  Frank  O.,  437 
Lowe,  Colonel  William  H.,  380-383 
Lucy,  Sister,  at  Saint  Vincent's,  35,  37 
Lunsfords,  the,  31 
Lunt,  Miss  Nina  J.,  323 

MacDonald,  Lady,  261 
MacVeagh,  Franklin,  374 
MacVeagh,  Wayne,  411 
McClellan,  General,  172-178 
McClellan,  Senator,  385 
McClernand,    General   John   A.,   51, 

76,  85,  113,  137 
McClure,  Alexander,  316,  324 
McCook,  Colonel  E.  S.,  in,  156 
McCook,  General,  156 
McCrary,  Mrs.  George  B.,  392 
McCreary,  T.  C.,  248 
McCulloch,  Secretary,  226,  237,  238 
McCullough,  J.  B.,  324 
McDonald,  A.,  230 
McDougall,  Senator,  236 
McDowell,  General,  250 
McElroy,  Reverend  and  Mrs.  John, 

416 

McGowan,  Mr.  J.  H.,  438 
McGregor,  Mount,  426 
McKinley,  President,  415,  448-450 
McKinley,  Mrs.,  449 
McPherson,  Chairman,  358 


INDEX 


465 


McPherson,  General  J.  B.,  130-132, 

143,  156;  death  of,  157-159;  161, 

162,  164,  165,  169,  170,  172,  187, 

195,  198,  432 
McVicker,  J.  A.,  60 
McVicker's  Theatre,  Chicago,  388 
Magee,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  C.,  401,  406 
Magruder,  General,  84 
Mahone,  Senator,  411 
Maltby,  General  John,  141 
Manassas,  battle  of,  92 
Manila,  446 
Mann,  Colonel,  388 
Manning,  Joel,  211 
Mar,  C.  J.,  450 
Marini,  Professor,  240 
Marion,  Illinois,  4,  26,  27,  70,  89,  93, 

94,  96,  97,  no,  211,  325 
Markley,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  John,  333 
Marsh,  C.  C.,  60 
Marshall,  Hon.  S.  S.,  51 
Marshalls,  261 
Mason,  Senator  and    Mrs.,    73,  82, 

232 

Matthews,  Justice  Stanley,  367 
Matthews,  Mrs.  and  Miss,  230,  233, 

248,  268 

Maximilian,  204 
Maynard,  Horace,  411 
Meade,  General,  250 
Meeker,  Mr.  Arthur,  333 
Meeker,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  A.  B.,  333 
Memphis,  130,  134,  152,  165 
Mentor,  413 
Meridian,  165,  171 
Metezrott  Hall,  229 
Metropolitan  Hotel,  see  Brown's  Hotel 
Mexican  War,  the,  26-28,  88,  98,  99, 

105 

Mexico,  203,  204 

Michigan  Avenue  Park,  Chicago,  449 
Militia  Day,  10-12,  88 
Miller,  Mrs.  Edmund,  364 
Miller,  Justice,  237,  239 
Minturn,  261 

Missionary  Ridge,  165,  171,  198 
Mississippi  River  steamers,  102,  104 
Mitchell,  Senator,  412 
Moltke,  General  von,  434 
Molton,  Hon.  S.  W.,  210 


Montauk  Point,  446 

Moore,  Mrs.,  424 

Morgan,  Senator,  232,  250,  252,  340 

Morgan    Park    Military     Academy, 

364 

Morganfield,  29 

Mori,  Mr.  and  Madame,  309,  324 
Morning  Star  Mine,  the,  328 
Morrill,  Senators,  232,  236 
Morris,  B.  S.,  60 
Morris,  I.  N.,  76 

Morrison,  Hon.  William  R.,  374,  424 
Morton,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  L.  P.,  401,  406 
Morton,  Governor  O.  P.,  124,  232, 

236,  298,  339,  340 
Mosby,  General,  257 
Moscow,  446 
Mower,  448 
Mullett,  A.  B.,  277 
Murphysboro,  Illinois,  40;  court  week 

at,  50;  70,  128 
Myers,  General,  308 

Naoville,  Marquis  de,  324 

Napier,  Lord,  84 

Naples,  442 

Nash,  Miss,  424 

Nashville,  152,  165,  168,  171,  187 

Nast,  Thomas,  317,  357 

National  Cemetery,  Vicksburg,  140 

Nazareth  Convent,  29 

Needles,    Senator   and   Mrs.    T.   B., 

375 

Negroes,  181;  in  Congress,  263 

Nelson,  Judge,  237 

New,  John  C.,  406 

New  Orleans,  135,  193,  257 

New  Year's  Day,  celebration  of,  10; 
at  the  White  House,  74,  236,  297, 
354,  391;  in  Chicago,  331;  in  Wash 
ington,  424 

New  York,  181,  188,  193,  229,  422 

Newman,  Reverend  J.  P.,  255,  369, 
370,  43° 

Nicolay,  John  J.,  355 

Nordhoff,  Charles,  261 

North,  Major  A.  A.,  215 

Northcote,  Lord,  260,  261,  268 

Noyes,  Crosby  S.,  277 

Nye,  Senator,  246 


466 


INDEX 


Oglesby,  General  R.  J.,  119,  283,  287, 

37i,  373,  374,  388,  389,  420,  421 
Oglesby,  Governor,  of  Illinois,  250 
Ohio,  23d  Volunteer  Infantry,  367 
Ole  Bull,  229 
Omaha,  311 
Orangeburgh,  198 
Ordway,  General,  233 
Osborne,  General  T.  O.,  285 
Otes,  Miss,  424 
Otis,  General,  447 
Owen,  Frederick,  449 
Owen,  John,  229 

Palmer,  Ex-Governor,  283 

Palmer,  Mrs.  Potter,  348 

Palmer  House,  Chicago,  385,  387,  401 

Paris,  438,  440,  445 

Parish,  Hon.  W.  K.,  39-41,  51 

Parke,  Miss,  352 

Parker,  Colonel  M.  M.,  427 

"Part  Taken  by  Women  in  American 

History,"  450 
Patras,  444 

Patterson,  Mrs.,  226,  236,  237,  258 
Patti,  Adelina,  229 
Paul,  Miss  Anna,  444,  445 
Pavey,  Brigadier- General,  388 
Pearson,  General  R.  N.,  149,  285 
Pelt,  Miss,  261 
Pendleton,  Senator  George  H.,  376, 

4io,  435 

Petersburgh,  3,  191,  219,  243 
Perkins,  Eli,  325 
Persia,  Shah  of,  438 
Pfister,  Mr.,  394 

Phelps,  Captain  John  S.,  215,  216 
Phelps,  Colonel  Rowett  S.  D.,  285 
Philadelphia,  217,  310,  336,  351,  352, 

421 

Philippines,  219 

Phillips,  Colonel  D.  L.,  178,  179 
Piatt,  Don,  325 
Pierce,  Franklin,  29,  63 
Pierce,  H.  A.,  230 
Pittsburg,  330 
Pittsburg  Landing,  123, 127,  128,  152, 

197 

Platt,  Senator,  375,  413 
Plumb,  Senator,  376 


Pocataligo,  198 

"Political  Hand  Book  of  the  Repub 
lican  Party,"  by  McPherson,  358 

Pomeroy,  Senator,  226,  298 

Poole,  Mollie,  31 

Poore,  Benjamin  Perley,  261,  298,  325 

Pope,  General  John,  389,  395,  396 

Porter,  Admiral,  237,  239,  250,  275, 
419 

Porter,  General  Fitz-John,  395-398 

Porter,  General  Horace,  229,  253 

Porter,  Miss,  347 

Posey,  Hon.  Lloyd,  51 

Post,  Chicago,  176 

Powell,  Margaret,  447 

Prague,  Bohemia,  437 

Presidential  campaign  of  1856,  55- 
57;  of  1860,  76,  77;  of  1864,  172- 
180;  of  1868,  226,  230,  231;  of  1872, 
304,  305;  of  1876,  3S7-36o;  of  1880, 
399-406;  of  1884,  420-423 

Price,  General  Sterling,  3,  103 

Prince,  Colonel  Edward,  215 

Princeton,  the,  257 

Prior,  Sergeant  J.  M.,  216 

Providence,  Lake,  136,  138 

Provo,  Utah,  311,  313,  314 

Pryor,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Roger  A.,  85 

Pugh,  General  Isaac  C.,  216 

Pullman,  Florence  S.  (Mrs.  F.  O. 
Lowden),  433,  437 

Pullman,  George  M.,  130,  334,  335, 

433,  437,  438 
Pullman,  Mrs.  George  M.,  130,  131, 

335,  433,  437,  438,  44i 
Pullman,    Harriet    S.    (Mrs.    Frank 

Carolan),  433,  437 
Pullman,  Sanger,  441 
Purvis,  Doctor,  337 

Quilting-parties,  8 
Quimby,  Mr.,  228 

Raleigh,  189,  191,  199 
Ramsay,  Mrs.,  394 
Randall,  Secretary,  226,  232,  237,  238 
Randolph,  Senator,  397 
Ransom,  Colonel,  123,  125-127,  295, 
296 


INDEX 


467 


Rawlins,  General  John  A.,  229,  230, 

245,  252,  270,  271,  282,  302 
Rawlins,  Mrs.  John  A.,  271 
Raymond,  battle  of,  137 
Read,  Samuel,  261 
Reid,  Whitelaw,  316,  324 
Relay  House,  the,  72 
Resaca,  155,  198 
Rhine,  Mrs.,  364,  409 
Rice,  B.  F.,  230 
Rice,  Senator,  75,  84 
Richardson,  William  A.,  58,  76,  325 
Richmond,  189,  191,  242,  243,  250, 

263 

Ricksford,  Miss,  364 
Riddle,  Mr.  Frank,  374 
Riebsame,  Captain  Christian,  216 
Rines,  Mrs.,  270 
Riottet,  C.  N.,  230 
Ritter,  229 
Robeling,  Mrs.  Washington  A.  (Emily 

Warren),  446 

Robertson,  Judge  W.  H.,  413 
Robeson,  Secretary  George  M.,  271, 

323,  325,  350,  352 
Robinson,  General,  389 
Robinson,  James  C.,  72,  76 
Robinson,  N.  T.  N.,  420 
Rock  Creek  Cemetery,  430 
Rogers,  250 
Rome,  442 

Root,  James  P.,  399,  400,  402 
Rosa,  Parepa,  229 

Rose  Hill  Cemetery,  Petersburgh,  219 
Rosecrans,  General,  165,  367 
Ross,  Colonel,  72,  237 
Rounds,  Mrs.,  424 
Routh,  Doctor  J.  W.,  216 
Rucker,  Miss,  348 
Rushmore,  Doctor  J.  D.,  445 
Russell,  J.  H.,  388 
Russia,  Czar  and  Czarina  of,  446 
Rutledge,  Reverend  William  J.,  214, 

215 

Saint  Augustine,  193 

Saint-Gaudens,  Augustus,  432,  449 

Saint  Louis,  276 

Saint  Paul,  211 

Saint  Vincent's  Academy,  29-37 


Salisbury,  Senator,  205 

Salkehatchie  River,  189,  198 

Salt  Lake  City,  311,  313 

San  Francisco,  427,  428 

Sanders,  fifer,  98,  99 

Sands,  261 

Sanger,  Harriet,  see  Mrs.  Pullman 

Sanger,  Mr.  and  Mrs.,  130 

Sartoris,  Algernon,  346,  347,  354 

Saulsbury,  313 

Savannah,   165,   181,   185,   188,   189, 

198 

Sawyer,  Senator,  420 
Scala,  Professor,  75,  237,  298 
Scates,  Hon.  Walter  P.,  51,  60 
Schade,  Louis,  222 
Schenck,  General,  236,  419 
Schiller  Bund,  the,  355 
Schofield,  General,  157,  389,  390 
Schofield,  Mrs.,  417 
Schools,  4,  5,  23-25 
Schultz,  Doctor,  441 
Schurz,  Carl,  304,  306,  307,  316,  317 
Schurz,  Mrs.  Carl,  307,  393 
Schurz,  Miss,  417 
Scott,  General  Thomas,  285 
Scott,  William,  251 
Scott,  General  Winfield,  80 
Secession,  79,  80,  86,  92 
Seward,  Secretary  William  H.,  226, 

237,  238,  256,  302 
Shaffer,  General,  285 
Sharp,  Mrs.,  233,  261 
Shaw,    Mr.    and    Mrs.    James,    375, 

425 

Shawneetown,  29,  38,  39,  41 
Sheehan,  J.  W.,  58,  177,  324 
Shellabarger,  Judge,  232,  236,  417 
Shepherd,  Alexander,  275,  277,  278 
Shepherd,  Governor  A.  R.,  337 
Shepherd,  Daniel,  400,  425 
Sheridan,  Fort,  429 
Sheridan,  General,  177,  292,  342,  389, 

4i9>  430 
Sherman,  Elizabeth  (Mrs.  Cameron), 

401 
Sherman,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  E.  B.,  335, 

388 
Sherman,  Senator  John,  232,  341,  376, 

394,  401,  404,  420,  427 


468 


INDEX 


Sherman,  Mrs.  John,  379,  392 

Sherman,  Miss  Minnie,  347,  349 

Sherman,  General  W.  T.,  140,  154- 
157,  1 60,  162;  General  Logan's 
tribute  to,  163;  letter  to  Logan, 
164-166;  reply,  167,  168;  169-173; 
letter,  177,  178;  181,  186,  189,  191, 
195,  246,  250;  succeeds  Grant  as 
General  of  the  Army,  251;  278,  279, 
349;  memoirs  published,  352;  353, 
354,  378,  384,  387,  389,  390,  410, 
419,  420 

Sherwood,  Kate  B.,  220 

Shields,  Judge  James,  51 

Shields,  Senator,  375 

Shiloh,  see  Pittsburg  Landing 

Sibley,  Doctor  B.  F.,  216 

Sickles,  General,  84,  250,  257 

Siddons,  Mrs.  Scott,  229,  355 

Simmons,  Franklin,  442,  448 

Singleton,  General,  58,  236 

Slavery,  77,  306 

Slidell,  73,  232 

Sloane,  Mrs.,  135,  136 

Slocum,  Senator,  236,  449 

Smalley,  E.  V.,  325 

Smith,  Colonel  B.  F.,  215 

Smith,  Governor,  385,  389 

Smith,  William,  277 

Smith,  W.  Scott,  325 

Snead,  Mrs.  and  Miss,  325 

Snyder,  Colonel  J.  M.,  215 

Snyder,  William  H.,  288 

Soldiers'  Home  Cemetery,  431 

Sons  and  Daughters  of  the  American 
Revolution,  219 

Sons  of  Veterans,  Society  of,  220 

Sothern,  86,  229 

Soute,  Madame,  310 

South  Mountain,  367 

Spain,  445 

Spalding,  Mr.  and  Mrs.,  335 

Spangler,  222 

Spanish- American  War,  219,  449 

Spaulding,  Bishop,  36 

Spinner,  General  Francis  E.,  205,  246 

Spofford,  Librarian,  355 

Sprague,  Governor,  301 

Sprague,  Mrs.  Kate  Chase,  239 

Sprague,  Senator,  237 


Springfield,  Illinois,   58,   62,  63,   76, 

90,   100,   142,   215,   217,   284,  361, 

372,  374,  375,  377,  421 
Stanberry,  Secretary,  237,  238 
Stanton,    Secretary,    224,    225,    228, 

237,  238,  271 

Starring,  Colonel  F.  A.,  130,  131 
Steele,  Major  G.  R.,  216 
Stephenson,  Major  B.  F.,  214,  215, 

217,  219 
Stephenson,    Colonel   John   D.,    131, 

132,  134 

Stevens,  Rear-Admiral,  389 
Stevens,  Thaddeus,  236 
Stevenson,  Mrs.  Colonel,  424 
Stewart,  A.  T.,  251,  252,  341 
Stewart,  General  H.  L.,  60 
Stillwell,  Mr.  and  Mrs.,  72 
Stolbrand,  Colonel,  132-134 
Stone,  Mr.  H.  O.,  333 
Storrs,  Emery  A.,  388,  389 
Stover,  Andrew,  240 
Stover,  Lillie,  240 
Stover,  Mrs.,  226,  236,  237,  240 
Stover,  Sally,  240,  241 
Strikes,  Chicago,  329 
Striped  Hospital,  the,  112,  117 
Strong,  Justice,  237,  239 
Strong,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Henry,  335 
Studley,  J.  B.,  86 
Sumner,  Charles,  227,  228,  232,  236, 

239,  304-306,  316 
Sumter,  Fort,  68,  77,  80,  86,  87,  90, 

165 

Supreme  Court,  1869,  members  of,  237 
Swartz's  Battery,  105 
Swayne,  Justice,  237,  239 
Swett,  Leonard,  389,  395 
Swindell,  Mr.,  93,  94 
Swing,  Reverend  David,  389 
Syms,  Colonel,  82 

Taft,  Judge  A.,  389 

Taggart,  Doctor  John  P.,  311,  313, 

314,325 

Taney,  Chief  Justice,  63,  64,  84 
Tanner,  Corporal,  441 
Taylor,  60,  285,  445 
Taylor,  Miss,  417 
Taylor's  Battery,  105 


INDEX 


469 


Temple  of  Fame,  140 

Tennessee   and   Cumberland   Rivers, 

expedition  up,  121  et  seq. 
Thanksgiving  Day,  13 
Thatcher,  Father,  anecdotes  concern 
ing,  21,  22 
Thomas,  General  George  H.,  157, 165- 

168,   170-172,   181,    186-188,   250; 

death  of,  281,  282 
Thomas,  Hon.  John  R.,  382 
Thomas,  General  Lorenzo,  224,  225 
Thomas,  Reverend  Doctor,  389 
Thompson,  Jeff,  114 
Thornton,  General,  58 
Thornton,  Sir  Edward  and  Lady,  228, 

233,  237,  239,  246,  261,  297,  324, 

347,  356 
Thurman,  Allen  G.,   298,  337,  341, 

412,  449 

Tiffany,  Doctor,  347 
Tilden,  Mr.,  360 
Times,  Chicago,  372 
Toland,  Lieutenant  Aquilla,  216 
Townes,  Colonel  R.  P.,  135,  142 
Townsend,  George  A.,  325 
Training  Day,  10-12,  88 
Trave,  the,  433 
"Travel  Club,"  344 
Tree,  Hon.  Lambert,  60,  374,  424 
Tremont  House,  Chicago,  61,  212 
Tribune,  Chicago,  372 
Trumbull,  Senator,  232,  236,  237 
Trusdell,  Reverend  G.  C.,  388 
Tucker,  Attorney-General,  255,  256 
Tucker,  George  Edwin,  449 
Tucker,  Mrs.  Mary  Logan,  48,  205, 

207,  211,  242,  284,  323,  364,  427, 

443,  449,  450 
Tucker,  Major  William  F.,  364,  427, 

440 

Tulloch,  Mrs.  T.  L.,  429 
Tulloch,  T.  L.,  230 
Turner,  Mrs.  L.  A.,  220 
Turner,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Oscar,  72 
Turner,  T.  J.,  288 
Tuthill,    Miss    Mary    E.,    147,    149, 

151 
Tuthill,  Hon.  Richard  S.,  285,  388, 

389,  432 
Twain,  Mark,  325,  390 


Uncle  Sam,  the,  125,  127 
Union  Veteran's  Club,  387,  388 
Upton,  Mrs.  George,  424 

Van  Horn,  R.  T.,  230 

Van  Landinghams,  the,  31 

Vance,  84,  375 

Vaughn,  Hon.  J.  B.,  60 

Vedder,  Elihu,  441 

Vest,  Senator,  375,  376 

Vicksburg,    135-141,    143,    152,    155, 

165,^193,  195,  198,  286 
Victoria,  Queen,  435,  438 
Vienna,  437 
Vilas,  Colonel,  389 
Villergorod,  Captain,  433,  434 
Virginius  massacre,  the,  336 
Voorhees,    Senator   Daniel    H.,    232, 

236,  339,  375,  4n,  449 

Wade,  Senator,  232-235,  254 

Waite,  Chief  Justice,  408 

Waite,  Mrs.  and  Miss,  417 

Waldersee,  Count  and  Countess,  434 

Walker,  Senator,  60,  420 

Wallach,  Mayor  and  Mrs.  Richard, 
73,84 

Walsh,  Hon.  John  R.,  333,  432 

Warner,  Willard,  230,  246 

Warren,  General,  446 

Warren,  Ohio,  407 

Washburne,  Hon.  E.  B.,  76,  230,  232, 
252, 374, 378,  384,  386,  389,  390, 405 

Washburne,  Mrs.  E.  B.,  379,  384,  385, 
386 

Washburne,  Miss,  261 

Washington,  26,  71,  72,  85,  89,  91, 
158,  165,  181,  185,  186,  188,  193, 
203-205,  213,  217,  219,  223,  224, 
238,  247,  253,  277,  278,  282,  284, 
294,  310,  3i8,  321,  326,  330,  336, 
346,  349,  364,  37i,  375,  380-382, 
390,  407,  409,  424,  426,  428,  432 

Washington  Monument,  the,  337 

Washington's  Birthday,  celebration 
of,  10 

Watterson,  Henry,  316 

Weaver,  Jacob  H.,  223 

Webb,  General  Alexander  S.,  248 

Webb,  Doctor  and  Mrs.  James,  365 


470 


INDEX 


Welles,  Secretary,  226,  237,  238 

Wells,  David  A.,  261 

Wentworth,  236 

Wesleyan  Female  College,  365,  366 

West  Point,  169,  257,  260,  280,  321, 

352,353 
Wheaton,   General  Lloyd,   135,   142, 

446,  447 

Wheeler,  General,  159 
Wheeler,  William  A.,  236,  358,  360, 

362,  375,  378 
Whiskey  Ring,  the,  356 
WThite,  Horace,  261,  316,  324 
White,  Lieutenant-Colonel  J.  H.,  93, 

98,  99,  123 

White,  General  Julius,  388 
White,  Mrs.  Senator,  375 
Whitehead,  Major,  135 
Whittemore,  280,  281 
Whyte,  Senator  Pinkney,  376 
"W'ide  Awakes,"  the,  65 
Wigfall,  73 

Wiggins,  Mr.  and  Mrs.,  284 
Wight,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  E.  B.,  323,  324, 

424 

Wilbur,  Reverend  and  Mrs.  P.  B.,  366 
Wilhelm  II,  435,  436 
Willard's  Hotel,  205,  234,  266,  336, 

401 
Williams,  General  and  Mrs.  George, 

236,  271,  272,  324,  325 
Williams,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Norman,  335 
Williams  College,  413 
Wilson,  Miss  Anna,  242 
Wilson,  Colonel  Charles  L.,  242,  243 


Wilson,   Vice-President  Henry,   310, 

316,  321,  323 
Wilson,  Senator  J.  F.,  232,  236,  252, 

298,  358 
Wilson,    Major-General    James    H., 

250,  389 

Windom,  William,  378,  411,  412 
Windom,  Mrs.  William,  379 
Wirz,  Henry,  222 
Wise,  Governor  Henry  A.,  255 
Wittenmyer,  Annie,  220 
Wood,  Mrs.   George   (Eliza  Logan), 

211,301,  302 

Woodford,  General,  388,  390 
Woods,  Major  Robert  M.,  215 
Woodworth,  Doctor  J.  M.,  303 
Woman's  Relief  Corps,  221 
Worden,  Rear- Admiral,  419 
Worrnley's  Hotel,  Washington,  418 

Yager,  Elizabeth  (Mrs.  Stone),  333, 

334 
Yates,  Hon.  Richard,  113,  124,  236, 

248,  288 

Yocum,  Mr.,  no 
Yorke,  Colonel,  135 
Yorktown,  417 
Yoshida,  Mr.  and  Madame,  309,  310, 

35o 

Young,  J.  Russell,  325 
Youngstown,  432,  447 
Yulee,  Senator  and  Mrs.,  82 

Zamacona,  Mr.,  239,  395 


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